- High-quality replica, by Danilo Tavoni

- Very well preserved

- Very lightweight machine, brilliant engine

- No reserve 

Motobi was born out of a dispute between the Benelli brothers and the departure of Giuseppe, the eldest brother, who left to create his own brand. In the early 1950s, Motobi made a name for itself with its characteristic egg-shaped engines in a horizontal position. Following Giuseppe's death in 1957, his two sons Luigi and Marco continued the adventure and called in Primo Zanzani, a genius tuner and driver, who perfected the mechanics and achieved great things in competition.

A replica of the machines designed by Zanzani in the early 1960s, the Motobi in the Panini collection was constructed in the 1990s by Danilo Tavoni. With a workshop in Modena working for various manufacturers, he was nicknamed 'golden hands' by Enzo Ferrari. With its tubular frame, tapered fuel tank, backrest seat and lightened parts, this bike is a faithful reproduction of Zanzani's competition-customer versions. The overhead-valve 250 engine has four-cylinder head studs ("4 tiranti"), rather than the six adopted by Zanzani on the most advanced versions. This motorbike, which has been very well-preserved since its creation, is a marvelous embodiment of the lightness, elegance, and performance of the Italian racers of that era.

Photos © G. Rizotto