Beskrivning
This motorcycle is Lot 8 of Bonhams Motorcycles Online – The Spring Sale; open for bidding 13-23rd February 2026. This Lot is available for public view and eventual collection from Bonhams Motorcycle Department, Milton Keynes.
Please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Bidding on all Lots commences Friday 13 February, 12:00 noon.
Bidding closes Monday 23 February, 12:00 noon, starting with Lot 8
Each subsequent Lot will then close one minute apart unless bidding remains active.
Public Viewing (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY):
All Lots:
Wednesday 18 February, 9am - 5pm
Please email using the button below with your availability to schedule an appointment.
Lot 8
1954 Parilla 125cc Turismo
Registration no. VYJ 202
Frame no. 124800
Engine no. 124800
Giovanni Parrilla produced his first motorcycle in 1946, dropping his surname's second 'r' to call the machine a Parilla. Signor Parrilla owned a shop on the outskirts of Milan specialising in repairing diesel injector pumps, and he also held an agency for Bosch sparking plugs. That first Parilla motorcycle - a 250cc overhead-camshaft single-cylinder racer - was the work of Ing. Giuseppe Salmaggi, who already had the Gilera Saturno to his credit.
The Milan-based firm went on to build a range of lightweight machines using two-stroke and four-stroke engines, and in 1954 introduced the high-camshaft model for which it is best remembered. Built in various versions up to the company's closure in 1967, it was a 175cc single featuring a chain-driven camshaft mounted on the side of the cylinder head, the two inclined valves being operated via short pushrods. Stunningly beautiful, the Parilla was also exceedingly quick, one not-yet-run-in competizione model being clocked at over 96mph by an American magazine. Not surprisingly the 'high-cam' model proved extremely successful on the racetrack, and enlarged versions of 200cc and 250cc capacity followed.
The machine offered here, though, is one of Parilla's earlier 125cc two-strokes: a model first introduced in 1951 and built in Sport and Turismo versions, initially with a three-speed hand-change gearbox. Relatively rare in the UK, this stylish and pretty lightweight sports roadster from the 1950s was restored in 2000 and is described as turning over with good compression and in generally good condition, commensurate with the age of the restoration. Purchased by the private vendor in 2011, and displayed as part of a private collection since acquisition, the machine will require recommissioning and safety checks prior to returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Offered with a V5C registration document.
£800 - 1, 200
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.
