c1959 Benelli Leoncino 125cc Motorcycle

Description

The Benelli Garage was originally established by widow Teresa Benelli in Pesaro, Italy in 1911 with the hope that it would provide her six sons with employment, beginning with repair work. By 1920 the Fratelli Benelli produced their first engine, a single-cylinder two-stroke, and the following year installed it in a motorcycle of their own manufacture. By the time the Second World War started, Benelli had won four Italian Championships and continued to do well in competition through the Fifties and Sixties. Despite the almost total destruction of Benelli's factories in the fighting, the company managed to resume post-war production with a single model, the 125cc Leoncino (lion cub), produced in both two-stroke and four-stroke versions. Introduced in 1949, the Leoncino proved immediately successful, fulfilling the nation's need for affordable transport for the masses before the rise of the scooter. With a gear-driven overhead camshaft and canted crankcase and gearbox, the Leoncino has a unique aesthetic appeal and with over 13 different versions and 72,000 units produced in its long 12 year lifespan, the bike was a commercial success for the Italian company. Rarely seen outside of Italy, the Leoncino is a fabulous little design, perfect for club runs or the many Italian bike shows held around the country. Following Alessandro de Tomaso's takeover of the company in 1971 a new range of two-strokes was unveiled but Benelli fell on hard times and disappeared from sight for several years. Fortunately the famous Italian marque has been revived and produces high quality superbikes today.