Description
This motorcycle is Lot 129 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Lot 129
The Dale Winfield Motorcycle Collection
c. 1947 Gilera 499cc Saturno
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 300793 (see text)
Engine no. 264002 (and 2611872 - see text)
The best known and most successful large-capacity Gilera roadster of the post-WW2 period was the 500cc Saturno. First seen in 1940 in competition guise, the Saturno - an overhead-valve, four-stroke single - did not enter production until 1946 when it appeared with the horizontally-sprung, friction-damped, swinging-arm rear suspension first seen on the pre-war blown 'four' racer. Major changes to the Turismo and Sport roadsters were mainly confined to the cycle parts, which were updated with a telescopic front fork and full-width alloy front brake for 1951 and conventional coil-spring dampers at the rear soon after. Production of the Saturno roadsters continued until 1959, their passing marking the end of the line for one of Italy's truly great classic motorcycles.
This Gilera Saturno is offered with a photocopy Italian registration libretto, which lists the telaio (frame) number as '264002', which is in fact the engine number, together with Italian correspondence suggesting the machine was purchased in 1993, potentially from Alberto Migliardi. There are no other documents. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning or possibly more extensive restoration before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns). Key not required.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
