A superb and rare
photo. Shown is the magnificent Moto
Morini Rebello 175cc production racer , photographed during a display
of a local dealer during the annual national championship races in the Italian
city of Voghera in 1955.
Moto Morini is an Italian maker of motorcycles. It was
founded by Alfonso Morini in Bologna,
in 1937. Earlier, Morini had also manufactured motorcycles together with Mario
Mazzetti under the name MM. Morini came under Cagiva control in 1987, then in
1996 came under Texas Pacific Group, which had also bought Ducati, and in April
1999, the rights to the name were purchased by Morini Franco Motori spa, a
company founded by Morini's nephew in 1954. Alfonso Morini was born on January 22 1898. Before he
was 16 he was repairing motorcycles, and at the age of sixteen, opened a
workshop. This was just before World War I broke out. During the war he was
with the 8th Motorcycles Unit, stationed at Padova. In 1925 Mario Mazzetti,
impressed by Alfonso’s work, asked him to build a single cylinder 125 cc
two stroke racing bike, making Alfonso the designer, constructor, and racer.
They were successful racing, under the MM name, and Alfonso’s finest racing
moment came in 1927 when his MM 125 took six world records at Monza, during the
Grand Prix of Nations. (These records were not bettered for twenty years.) In
1933 he set a new world speed record for 175 cc motorcycles of 162 km/h. In 1937 Alfonso
and Mario parted ways, and Alfonso Morini went into the production of
350 cc and 500 cc three wheelers, under the Moto Morini name. The
government regulations favoured these lighter fuel efficient machines, and the
successful Moto Morini M610 had advanced features, like cardan driveshafts.
This was interrupted by World War II, and Moto Morini was converted to produce
aeronautical components. In 1943 the factory was bombed. Undeterred, in 1946, a new three speed
transmission, single cylinder, two stroke T125 emerged from the new Bologna factory, Via
Berti. In 1947 a
Sport version appeared. In 1953
a 175 cc pushrod OHV four stroke model appeared in
production. Models like Gran Turismo, Settebello, Rebello, Supersport,
Briscola, Tresette, and Tresette Sprint also appeared. In 1956 Moto Morini
moved to a larger production facility at Via Bergami. In 1958 Alfonso Morini,
Dante Lambertini, and Nerio Biavati designed the 250 GP Double Camshaft. On June 30 1969, Alfonso
Morini died. He was 71. His daughter, Gabriella Morini, took over management,
and would remain in control till 1986. In 1970 Franco Lambertini (unrelated to
the earlier Dante Lambertini of Morini's technical staff) left Ferrari works
and joined Moto Morini. In 1948, Raffaele Alberti won the Italian Championship
for Lightweight Motorcycles on a two-stroke 125 Competition. Umberto Masetti
won the Italian Championship for Lightweight Motorcycles in 1949, on a 125 SOHC
four-stroke that produced 12 hp (8.9 kW) @ 10000 rpm, and could
exceed 140 km/h.
In 1952 Moto Morini won races outside of Italy with the 125 SOHC
four-stroke, as Emilio Mendogni won both the Nations Grand Prix, and the
Spanish Grand Prix. The 250 GP put out 37 hp (28 kW) @
11,000 rpm and had a maximum speed of 225 km/h. In 1961,
Giacomo Agostini began his racing career on a Moto Morini Settebello “Short
Rods”, coming second at Trento-Bondone. Agostini was Italian Cadet Champion in
1962, and Italian Junior Champion in 1963.
Tarquinio Provini, riding a Moto Morini 250 GP, won the Italian Championship
in 1961 and 1962. In
1963, Provini convinced Alfonso Morini that they should try for the World
Championship. Provini would wage a season-long battle with Honda's Jim Redman
for the 250 world championship. Each rider won four races and the title wasn't
decided until the final race in Japan,
with Redman winning the championship over Provini by two points. In the early
Seventies Moto Morini launched their first 72° V-twin motorcycles, designed by
Franco Lambertini, and created by Franco and Gino Marchesini. They displayed a
range of 144 kg
350 (actual capacity 344 cc) models, including Strada and Sport. In 1977
500 cc V-twin models (actual capacity 479 cc) emerged. In 1981 a six speed model 500
became available. They all featured Heron heads, one piece forged steel
crankshaft, ball main bearings, plain big end bearings, and the conrods run on
a common pin, offsetting the rear cylinder to the front by 50 mm. Front and rear
barrels and heads are interchangeable. VBH Dell'Orto 25 mm carburettors are
fitted to the 350. Both kick-start and starter motor are fitted. The frame is a
steel duplex swingarm design, with Ceriani rear suspension, and Marzocchi front
forks. The early models had a twin leading shoe drum brake up front (Strada: 200 mm drum, Sport: 230 mm drum), but these
were replaced with double 260 mm
Grimeca discs on later models. In November 1981 a 500 Turbo was shown
at the Milan Show, producing 84 bhp (63 kW) @ 8300 rpm. It did
not make it to production. An enduro version called the Camel 500 was released
in 1981. In
1983 the Kanguro 350 was released. In 1986 Moto Morini brought out a cruiser
version, the Excalibur, available in 350 and 500 versions. Harley-Davidson
became interested in the Moto Morini V-twin as a smaller Harley, but had
financial problems, and nothing came of it. The 350 was conceived as a modular
design, and single cylinder versions were made. (Looking like the V-twin with
the rear cylinder removed) These were the 1975 six speed 125 H and the 1978 250
T Mono, both unsuccessful, as was the later KJ 125 single of 1985. The early
Eighties did not go as well for Moto Morini, with labour disputes and
diminishing sales. On February
18 1987 Gabriella Morini sold the firm to the Castiglioni firm,
Cagiva. Despite their assurances that Moto Morini was important to them, the
company was allowed to decline. In 1988 the Dart 350, a fully race faired
version of the 72° V-twin, appeared. In 1989 the last enduro version, the
Coguaro appears, in 350 and 500 versions, and another cruiser version, the New York, also in both
capacities. These were extensions of other models, and little to no development
was being undertaken. Franco Lambertini had a new 60° engine design, but Cagiva
was not interested. In the same year as the last models appeared, he left Moto
Morini, and went to Piaggio-Gilera. The Via Bergami factory was closed and by
1993 Excaliburs are assembled at Agostini works. In 1996 Ducati and the Moto
Morini name are sold to TPG. There were no plans to revive Moto Morini. In 1999
Morini Franco Motori spa bought the Moto Morini name. Morini Franco Motori spa
was founded in 1954 by Franco Morini, Alfonso's nephew. A new joint-stock
company was officially presented in 2003, and the principal Moto Morini SpA
shareholders were the Berti and Morini families. In 2004 a new motorcycle was
announced, the Corsaro 1200 naked bike, which appeared in 2005.[9] It was
followed by the "9 1/2" road bike. There have been criticisms of the
computerised fuel injection mapping in these early models. They are both powered
by an 1187 cc Bialbero CorsaCorta 87° V twin-cylinder engine that develops
140 bhp (100 kW) at 8500 rpm, and 123 N·m (91 lb·ft)
at 6,500 rpm, in the Corsaro, and 105 bhp (78 kW; 106 PS)
at 8000 rpm in the 9 1/2. The engine was designed by Franco Lambertini.
The engines are tuned differently to suit the different applications, like with
the Corsaro Veloce 1200 for instance.
This is your rare
chance to own this non period photo that reflects a very
interesting and highly historic piece of motorcycle and Moto Morini ‘s glorious
history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 11"
(ca. 20 x 27.5 cm).
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.