1961 Bianchi Tonale, 175cc. Registration number 357 ATR (non...

Hammer

£2,900

1961 Bianchi Tonale, 175cc. Registration number 357 ATR (non transferrable). Frame number 235204. Engine number 235204.

Founded in the late 1890s, Bianchi made little impact outside Italy before WW2 despite an innovative approach which saw a team of unitary construction, twin-overhead-cam 350s entered in the 1926 Isle of Man TT, the design having first appeared in 1924. In the post-war period the company's road range consisted mainly of lightweights, the mainstay of production being 175cc models like the Sandro Colombo-designed Tonale. Styled as only the Italians know how and featuring a unitary construction overhead-cam engine, duplex loop frame and full-width alloy hubs, the Tonale must have seemed light years in advance of its British contemporaries.

This very well restored model appears to have been a UK bike from new with 3 previous owners according to the V5C, a David Lightowler buying it in 2015 and our vendor in 2016. He bought it as a display machine so he has not ridden it and his life has now taken a different direction. There is no history before this time or who performed the quality restoration.

Sold with the V5C,and a period Use and Maintenance Manual, it will require recommissioning before road use.