Aermacchi started life in 1912 as a manufacturer of planes, based in Varese, Italy, but like so many Italian manufacturers had to change their business model in the post-World War II years. Aermacchi, the motorcycle manufacturer developed an overhead valve 250 single, and following suit of brethren firms, went racing. The Ala d’Oro, translating to Golden Wing, was a huge success. Alberto Pagani saw 9th at the Dutch Grand Prix and just in case there was any doubt, followed it with a 5th place at the Belgian Grand Prix a week later. The marque also celebrated a 2nd place on the Isle of Man in the hands of Alan Barnett in 1970. It never attained any monumental outright wins, but was, and remains today, a formidable competitor.
The 1958 Aermacchi 248cc Ala d’Oro was purchased in 2014 as part of an eclectic collection of motorcycles, including significant racers. First registered in Italy in 1958 in 175cc guise, as per accompanying copy of Italian documentation, it was bored out to 250cc for racing by specialists Bargellin of Barge (Cuneo), Italy. A matching numbers example, it remained in a private collection of Vincenzo Degasperi in Tuscany from 2003.
In its tenure on static display in the MotoTalbott Museum in Carmel, California it was shown at the famed Quail Motorcycle Gathering. The bike has been recently recommissioned to ready it for sale, but further fettling may be necessary before embarking on its next racetrack battle.
Frame no. 110100
Engine no. 110100
Location: Ventura, California
SOLD
