A Moto Marini 250cc Bialbero Grand Prix racing motorcycle achieved £83,260 ($134,647) to top Bonhams' Important Collectors Motorcycles auction at Staffordshire County Showground in the UK on October 21.
 The Moto Marini was a successful and innovative racing bike |
Built by motorcycle designer Alfonso Morini in 1957, the iconic Moto Marini 250 won the 1958 Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
The company lost out on the 1963 title to Honda by just two points but went on to win again in 1967.
The bike was restored in 1995 by Italian engineer Nerio Biaveti, and features few of the original fittings - due to both age and heavy use many of the components had corroded.
A 350cc Model 40 Manx Norton Racing motorcycle, one of a pair raced by legendary rider/tuner Frank Beart in the 1960s, made £61,980 ($100,223) - a new auction world record for a Manx.
It was ridden extensively in both the Manx Grand Prix and the Isle of Man TT, as well as on the mainland throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.
 The Manx Norton Model 40 was ridden by a number of well-known British racers |
The bike was passed between some of the most respected riders of the time, including Keith Heckles and Joe Dunphy.
A 1951 Vincent 998c Black Shadow also performed well at the sale, making £57,500 ($92,976).
The bike's clutch was designed to be operated with just two fingers, so that men injured in combat would be able to ride and maintain it. It carried a fearsome reputation as one of the fastest motorcycles of its era.
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