Winner of the Best of Show at the 2017 The Quail Motorcycling Gathering, this 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero grand prix road racer is up for auction at Mecum Auctions’ 33rd Annual Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction Las Vegas runs January 24-27, 2024, at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. It is a published motorcycle, having appeared in Ultimate Collector Motorcycles by Charlotte and Peter Fiell.
Although its providence is not completely clear, due to the bevel gear valve train of the DOHC motor, it is believed this is the Mondial 250 Bialbero that two-time GP World Champion Tarquinio Provini competed on in the 250GP class in 1957. Provini rode his Mondial to wins at the Dutch TT and the Italian GP, finishing second in the world championship series. That same year, Provini won the Italian National Championship on a Mondial.
After being retired from racing, this 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero was purchased from Mondial in 1977 for the Nerini/Daddario/Valgrande Collection in Italy. It found its way to the famed Morbidelli Museum in Pesaro, which closed in 2019. While there, The iconic aluminum dustbin fairing was restored by Giancarlo Morbidelli. Roberto Totti of Totti Motori performed paint and cosmetic restoration.
The 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero landed in the Museo Moto Italia Collection of John Goldman in San Francisco. While in the hands of Goldman, it was repainted by Pete Misthos of Underground Colors, was tuned by master mechanic David Harris of The Zen House, and Evan Wilcox of Evan Wilcox Metal executed fairing adjustments.
Only seven examples of this motorcycle were built at the Mondial factory. The bike up for auction has matching frame and engine numbers—251—which indicates it was the first of the seven 250 Bialbero racers built.
The 1957 Mondial 250 Bialbero auction will be held on Saturday, January 27, and it is a Main Attraction of the Mecum Las Vegas event. With or without the fairing, and whether or not it is the same machine ridden to GP glory by Provini, this motorcycle is a genuine work of industrial art.
Photography by Phil Aynsley, courtesy of Mecum Auctions
