Swedish Italians head for France

November 2015

500cc Gilera Saturno | Ducati 450cc Scrambler

Eighteen bikes from the MC Collection Motorcycle Museum in Stockholm, Sweden are to be auctioned by Bonhams at its Paris Grand Palais Sale on 4th February 2016.

The museum was founded in 1999 by Christer R Christensson and backed by motorcycle historian Ove Johansson (how comes all these foreigners have funny names, huh?). Bonhams reckon that it's the first time the museum has offered any of its collection for sale, which doesn't strike us as a very interesting fact. But you might see it differently.

However, we are interested in this 1948 Gilera Saturno (image immediately above). The estimate for this motorcycle is £7,800 - £11,000 (€11,000 - €16,000), but there's currently no other information on the bike. Nevertheless, we can tell you that the 499cc, single-cylinder, unit-construction, OHV pushrod Saturno range was produced between 1946 and 1959 (although competition versions appeared as early as 1939). It was offered in either Turismo or Sport specification.

The cylinder bore is 84mm. The stroke is 90mm. Power is 22bhp @ 5,000rpm. The swinging-arm was notable for its unconventional horizontally-sprung design. Until 1952, the front fork was by girder, and then Gilera upgraded to telescopic. The weight is around 390lbs. The top speed is approximately 90mph.

It's said that a little over 6,000 Saturnos were manufactured by Gilera during the post war years. These bikes were also available in competizione specification and acquitted themselves exceptionally well on the European racing circuits (think Italian BSA Gold Stars). The top speed of these competition models reached close on 110mph.

Meanwhile, a 1972 450ccc Ducati Scrambler (image immediately above) is also going under the hammer at Paris. The estimate is £6,900 - £9,900 (€9,800 - €14,000). But at this point, Bonhams (which supplied the images) has offered no supporting information.

What we can tell you is that the Scrambler range began in the early 1960s with 250cc and 350cc "narrowcase" bikes. It was created for the US market, but the machines eventually became available elsewhere in the world, including Italy. The 436cc, 87mm x 75mm, OHV single-cylinder "widecase" Scrambler entered the market in 1969.

What made these motorcycles so desirable to US buyers was largely their easy-going, off-road styling that made the bikes suitable for American back roads, deserts and hill country escapades. They were indeed sold as dual purpose machines and today command a very loyal following, and one that's prepared to pay plenty for these beautiful bikes.

The original build quality was always hit and miss, and occasionally it missed by a long way. But most bikes have since been retrofitted and restored to better than factory condition.

More on this Gilera and Ducati later as and when Bonhams spills the beans.

Lastly, we want to leave you with this wonderful skewed translation that we picked up on an Italian site when trawling for corroborative information for this feature. Sooner or later, Google translate (and similar software) is going to produce word perfect transcriptions that will be the death of wonderfully goofy paragraphs such as this. But for now, we can enjoy.

"The Scrambler, in the motorcycle field, a type of vehicle with characteristics mainly road, which led to minor modifications to make it suitable for dirt roads or off-roads short of significant difficulties."

Priceless stuff, huh?

UPDATE: The 1972 450cc Ducati Scrambler sold for £7,966 (€10,350).

The 1948 500cc Gilera Saturno sold for £7,081 (€9,200).

www.bonhams.com

— Girl Happy