c.1981 Sanvenero 125cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle, Frame no. 00127 Engine no. to be advised

• Ultra-rare Italian Grand Prix racer
• An older restoration
• Purchased for the Morbidelli Museum circa 25 years ago

Tuscan building contractor and motorcycle racing enthusiast Emilio Sanvenero was already a sponsor of the MBA team when he founded his own company in 1980, almost certainly inspired by the successes achieved by Giancarlo Morbidelli. Sanvenero's aim was to compete in the 125cc and 500cc World Championships, and the team enjoyed some success in its debut year. Works riders Guy Bertin and Ricardo Tormo won the 125cc races at the Italian and Swedish Grands Prix respectively to finish the season 6th and 8th equal in the World Championship. For 1982 Tormo was joined by Pier Paolo Bianchi in the 125cc class, with the Spaniard winning the Belgian Grand Prix to finish the season in 5th place, one point behind the more consistent Bianchi in 4th.

Sanvenero's bold 500cc project was far more ambitious but would turn out to be much less successful, which is hardly surprising given that they were up against the well-established Japanese manufacturers in the premier class. The square-four two-stroke engine was inspired by Suzuki's World Championship-winning RG500 but used a shorter stroke; Campagnolo supplied the crankcases, while the crankshafts came from Hoeckle and the pistons from Mahle, so the ingredients were nothing less than the very best. Dutch frame-building guru Nico Bakker built the first frames before Sanvenero switched to its own.

At least four 500s were constructed over the course of the 1981 and 1982 seasons but there would be no repeat of the 125's successful debut. Riders recruited for 1981 were Carlo Perugini and Guy Bertin, neither of whom scored any points. The team's only success with the 500 was achieved the following season at the French Grand Prix, inexplicably held at Nogaro, which was considered barely suitable for a club race, let alone a GP. Many of the major contenders refused to start, particularly in the 500 class, which was won by Sanvenero's Michel Frutschi, while to the annoyance of other works riders, Sanvenero's Hugo Vignetti rode in the 125cc race, finishing in 3rd place. Frutschi's only other finish was 9th at the Belgian GP and he ended the season 14th in the 500cc World Championship. At the last round at Hockenheim in Germany, Sanvenero was declared bankrupt and the circuit owners seized the two machines entered, one of which is still on display in the circuit museum. Subsequently, Pier Paolo Bianchi obtained several 125s from the receivers and continued to race them during 1983, scoring three consecutive 3rd places (Germany, Spain, Austria) to finish 8th in the World Championship.

This ultra-rare Sanvenero Grand Prix racer had already been restored when it was purchased for the Museum some 25 years ago.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.