Description
This motorcycle is Lot 283 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on October 12th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 201 - 408 are to be sold from 11:00am on Sunday 12th October 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 11th & 12th October 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show).
Lot 283
The Robert Lusk Motorcycle Collection, The ex-Ralph Bryans, Isle of Man TT
1962 Benelli 50cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle
Registration no.
Frame no. CE 71166
Engine no. C 74963
Invented in Italy immediately after World War II, 50cc racing had progressed sufficiently to merit its own World Championship by 1962. By this time, the involvement of the major Japanese manufacturers had left the Italians emphatically outclassed. Nevertheless, Shropshire-based rider and entrant Fron Purslow imported one—or perhaps two—Benelli 50s from the factory, as did Eire Benelli distributor Joe Arnold. Although prepared in the works racing department, the GP bikes drew heavily on the roadster version for parts, while the frames were specially constructed. The pedals were removed, and the single-cylinder two-stroke engine was ported and fitted with a larger carburettor and a deafening megaphone exhaust. The four-speed gearbox was retained, together with its unorthodox twistgrip-operated change mechanism, mounted on the left-side clip-on. Clad in a two-piece fairing wrapped tightly around it, the Benelli 50 was geared for a top speed of 75?mph at 10, 000?rpm on the high-speed Isle of Man Mountain Circuit.
Three Benellis were entered in the historic first 50cc TT in 1962, although how many actually started is unclear. Entered by Jack Arnold, T. J. "Joe" Wood (No. 29) had previously won the only two 50cc races in Ireland—the Temple 100 and the Magaberry short circuit. Purslow entered himself (No. 50) and Alan Dugdale (No. 27). Dugdale, contesting the other four solo classes at the TT that year, had little time to practice on the Benelli. At Joe Wood's suggestion, Purslow offered the ride to Ralph Bryans, although in the race Bryans rode bike No. 50, not No. 27.
Ulsterman Ralph Bryans had won the Irish 200cc Championship in 1960, his first major success, and at just over nine stone was ideally built for a 50cc racer. He finished 15th in the race—an excellent result considering the field included nine works Hondas, three entries from Honda European agents, four works Suzukis, five works Kreidlers, and three works Derbis. The race was won by Ernst Degner (Suzuki) from Luigi Tavieri (Honda) at 75. 12?mph.
Bryans rode Joe Ryan-entered Nortons in 1963 and secured a Honda contract for 1964. He became 50cc World Champion in 1965 and also contested the 125, 250, and 350cc classes for Honda. He would have won the 250cc World Championship in 1967 if the outcome had been decided using today's "all points count" system. Ireland's first road-racing World Champion, Bryans was one of the very few riders to score points in all five Grand Prix classes and retired from racing in 1970.
After the TT, Purslow sold the Bryans Benelli to Alan Hutchings, who rode it in the 1963 TT, retiring with big-end problems. Hutchings sold it to Jim Pink, who in turn sold it to long-term owner Robin Read. Read kept the Benelli briefly at first, but several years later repurchased it via the Racing 50 Motorcycle Club in November 1973. He restored the bike in the 1980s, and it was subsequently featured in Classic Racer magazine (Spring 1987).
The machine was purchased by Irish collector Luke Lawlor in March 1997 and offered at Bonhams' April Stafford auction in 2007 (Lot 541), where Robert Lusk acquired it for his collection. We noted at that time it was fitted with a three-speed gearbox.
The Benelli comes with a very well-researched history file prepared by Robin Read, which includes contemporary press reports, TT programme entries, race results, Benelli factory correspondence, 1965 and 1973 sales receipts, sundry parts/ services invoices, and an engine/ gearbox parts list (close inspection is advised). Ralph Bryans' 1962 TT 15th place finisher's award is also included in the sale.
A rare opportunity to acquire a Grand Prix 50 dating from the very first year of the class's World Championship status, ridden by a future World Champion on his international debut.
Prospective buyers should please note that whilst Robert actively started and maintained his collection, all machines are offered as requiring recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent.
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.
