Description
This motorcycle is Lot 336 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026.
Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Public Viewing:
Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Property of a deceased's estate
** 1954 Parilla 175cc Lusso Veloce**
Registration no. 703 XVN
Frame no. * 401504*
Engine no. * 401504*
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.
The second generation of Parilla motorcycles - known as the 'high-cam' (camme rialzata) - debuted at the Milan Show in 1952. This was the Fox, which would be built in various versions up to the company's closure in 1967. It was powered by a 175cc single which featured a chain-driven camshaft mounted on the side of the cylinder head, the 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, and enlarged versions of 200cc and 250cc capacity followed. There was also an over-the-counter production racing version: the MSDS (Machina Sport Derivata dalla Serie).
This Parilla Lusso Veloce was purchased in 2020 from Mike Owens (Owens Moto Classic) through his contact Carollo Moto, an Italian dealership in Romano D'Ezzelino, Padua. The machine formed part of an estate, although no further provenance is known. The Parilla was first registered in the UK on 1st February 2021, and the following year was featured with its owner in an article in Real Classic magazine (March 2022 edition, photocopy on file, perusal recommended). We have been advised by the private vendor (the deceased's widow) that the late owner last rode the Parilla in October, approximately one week prior to his passing.
Accompanying documentation includes a DVLA inspection report which states the following: "This motorcycle has been fully restored to an excellent condition matching its original specification, it is 100% correct and has not been modified in any way." (The Parilla had been restored and the engine rebuilt by a specialist in Padua, Italy.) Other documents include a current V5C; Italian registration document (Targa); NOVA acknowledgement; dating certificate; copy service manual; and some marque-related literature.
Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, completeness, authenticity, originality, and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Offered with key
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.
