1972 Benelli 125 Sport Special

Rare 125cc Sports Special

Estimate: £3,500 - £4,500*

Reg No: EKP 989K Frame No: DCM84090MN1442722

CC: 125 Engine No: Not visible

MOT: Exempt

• Horizontally opposed single cylinder 125

• Typically sporty early 1970s Italian style

• UK registered and supplied with a current V5C

Benelli was established in Pesaro, Italy in 1911 making it one the oldest of Italian motorcycle manufacturers still in operation. The company was purchased by the Italian-Argentine industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso, who was undoubtedly one of the most controversial and powerful figures in Italy in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s having founded De Tomaso Automobili in Modena and making his own series of road and racing cars, later acquiring a number of Italian companies such as Maserati, Innocenti, Ghia and Vignale and then, in 1971, Benelli and its competitor Moto Guzzi.

The Sport Special was a result of the merger of Benelli with Motobi in the early 1960s and features a 125cc four stroke engine with an horizontal cylinder and a five speed gearbox. A very sporty looking bike in Benellis trademark Metallic Green racing colours, it is fitted with typically Italian good quality brake and suspension components. Recently imported having spent most of its life in Bari, it is offered in excellent condition and is UK registered on a current V5C.

1972 Fantic Ti

Ti (Turismo Internazionale) TX120

Estimate: £2,250 - £2,750*

Reg No: EKP 990K Frame No: 00968361

CC: 50 Engine No: Not visible

MOT: Exempt

• Authentically restored by Giovanni of Venice

• Fitted with a Proma expansion chamber

• UK registered and supplied with a current V5C

Fantic Motor is a relatively young Italian manufacturer that began producing bikes in 1968. The company has always used motorsport to promote its products, especially in off-road events, and in the 2023 season, Fantic Motor are competing in the Moto2 World Championship as the main sponsor of the Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team with its two riders, Celestino Vietti and Borja Gómez. One of its more popular models in the 1970s was the Fantic T.I., which quickly gained popularity with its Italian styling peaky Minarelli 49cc engine, stories of the T.I. reaching 70 mph were perhaps an exaggeration but over 50-55 mph could be achieved in the right conditions.

This 1972 50cc TX120, presenting in an excellent and authentic condition, has spent most of its life in Italy and has enjoyed a full restoration by Giovanni of Venice. Hardly run since the restoration, it still needs a good running-in and is UK registered and supplied with a current V5C.