c1961 Mondial 125cc Motorcycle

Description

Started by the Fratelli Boselli, a family of noblemen from the Milan area, the Mondial Company initially produced three-wheel delivery vans in the 1930s before diversifying into motorcycles in 1948. Always a low volume manufacturer, Mondial concentrated specifically on high-quality, competition oriented motorcycles at a time when most of its Italian rivals were building mopeds and scooters. At the end of 1948 Mondial built a 125cc four-stroke with double overhead cams and began to enjoy success on the Grand Prix circuit during the 1950s, ultimately winning no less than five world titles in the 125cc (from 1949-1951 and again in 1957) and 250cc classes (in 1957). Indeed, 1957 proved something of a high watermark and the end of a Golden Age of motorcycle racing, with FB Mondial joining the likes of Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta and Gilera in withdrawing from competition. Mondial continued producing motorcycles powered by their own engines until 1960, after which they only made frames and ancillary parts, with proprietary motors sourced from outside manufacturers. In 1973 Mondial ceased producing road bikes, focusing instead on motocross models with Sachs 125cc engines. Mondial survived until 1979 although unsuccessful attempts were made to revive the marque by the Villa brothers in the 1980s and again by Roberto Ziletti in 1999.