S-22720-0-1

382 N1967 Aermacchi 350cc Ala d’OroRacing MotorcycleFrame no. 222578A household name among motorcyclists thanks to its heroicachievement of producing the most highly developed and successfuloverhead-valve racing single ever, Aermacchi was a relativelatecomer to motorcycle manufacture, building its first machine inthe late 1940s and the first of its trademark, horizontally-mounted,four-stroke singles - the 175cc Chimera - in 1956. The ‘enclosed’Chimera was soon joined by more conventionally styled 175cc and250cc machines, the racing versions of which were christened Alad’Oro (Golden Wing). Alberto Pagani’s 9th place on the 250’s DutchTT debut in 1960 demonstrated the bike’s potential, which wasconfirmed the following week when Pagani finished 5th at the BelgianGrand Prix. The need for more power led to short-stroke enginedimensions (of 72mm x 61mm) being adopted on the 250 for 1964,by which time a 350cc version had appeared. With increased powercame increasing unreliability, necessitating a redesign for 1966 whenlarger flywheels, modified piston and connecting rod, dry clutch andwider gears were among improvements introduced.The works concentrated on developing its new 250 two-stroke twinfrom the late 1960s onwards, but before then had introduced a bobweightcrankshaft, external flywheel and new crankcases with anextra main bearing on its four-stroke single. Although the pushrodAermacchi never won a World Championship race, it did achieve anumber of 2nd places, Alan Barnett’s in the 1970 Junior TT beingone of the most memorable. Despite a lack of ultimate success inGrands Prix, the Aermacchi single was outstandingly successfulat national level and, having benefited from another three decadesof development, remains a competitive force in historic motorcycleracing today.This 350 Ala d’Oro was purchased at a race meeting at the Imolacircuit in Italy. It was last used at Schotten and the Tauplitzalm hillclimb five years ago and is very nicely presented.£12,000 - 16,000€17,000 - 22,000Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.motorcycles | 141