VIEW FROM THE
SIDECAR
Comprising approximately 300 motorcycles, and representing
every decade of the 20th century, this important collection was
built up by the museum’s founder, motorcycle manufacturer and
Grand Prix boss Giancarlo Morbidelli, over a period of 40 years. The
auctioning of the Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum will take place at
Bonhams’ annual Autumn Stafford Sale, Oct. 18-20, 2019, in Stafford,
England.
In fact, the size of the collection will extend the Autumn sale. “This
is the largest single collection to be sold by Bonhams and as such
means that we will extend our Autumn sale to three days for the
first time. It really will be a unique opportunity for motorcycle col-
lectors and enthusiasts from across the globe to bid for some truly
special lots,” says Ben Walker, International Department Director for
Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles.
Highlights of the collection include two examples from the
Morbidelli Grand Prix racing motorcycle collection. First is the 1974
125cc Morbidelli ridden by the great Angel Nieto to second place in
that year’s Spanish and German Grand Prix. The second Morbidelli
bike to go under the hammer is a 250cc machine ridden by 15-time
Grand Prix world champion Giacomo Agostini, who rode for the team
during its golden period in 1976, gaining a second place at Misano.
Other notable lots of the Morbidelli Collection include the 1964
Benelli 250 Grand Prix racing motorcycle, ridden and signed by two-
time world champion Tarquino Provini, and a 1934 Benelli 175cc
Bialbero ridden by Dorino Serfini, one of only three in the world.
Also up for auction will be the 1964 Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder Grand
Prix racing motorcycle (see our Motorcycle Classics story at bit.ly/125-
four). See more on the web at bonhams.comMorbidellis and more at the Stafford auction
Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum goes up for
auction, and the 2019 Barber Vintage Festival
Join us for the 15th Annual Barber Vintage Festival, the larg-
est vintage motorcycle event in North America, Oct. 4-6, 2019,
at Barber Motorsports Park outside
Birmingham, Alabama, with famed
national champion enduro rider
and entrepreneur John Penton as
this year’s Grand Marshal. Inducted
into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of
Fame in 1998, Penton was influ-
ential in the growth of enduro
and offroad motorcycling in the
’60s and ’70s, eventually founding
Penton Motorcycles.
Penton will be the guest of
honor at the Barber Museum’s
Friday night Motorcycles by
Moonlight fundraiser, and we’re
anticipating his presence at the
Motorcycle Classics tent during our
Saturday Vintage Bike Show. This
year we’re putting the spotlight
on Honda Fours, celebrating the50th anniversary of the debut of the CB750. We’ll award tro-
phies in five categories (British, American, Japanese, European
and Custom) plus special awards
for Best Honda Four and Editor’s
Choice.
Enjoy AHRMA National Historic
Cup Roadracing on the track, with
vintage motocross, observed tri-
als and cross country races hap-
pening in the surrounding fields
and woods. The American Motor
Drome Company’s Wall of Death
returns, and look for the Ace Corner
at Turn 17, where you’ll find a show
within the show featuring café rac-
ers and custom builds. Bonhams
will also return with an auction at
the Barber Motorsports Museum
on Saturday, and it’s sure to be a
highlight of the weekend.
For more information and event
updates visit barbermuseum.orgJohn Penton at the Barber Vintage Festival, Oct. 4-6, 2019
A look down just one row of motorcycles in the famed
Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum in Pesaro, Italy.Donny Ables won the trophy for Best Japanese
Rider with his 1978 Kawasaki KZ650R at the 2018
Barber Vintage Festival.14 MOTORCYCLE CLASSICS September/October 2019