Description
This motorcycle is Lot 73 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).
The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II
** 1960 Parilla 175cc Fox MSDS Racing Motorcycle**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 41* 0833*
Engine no. 175S. 1598 S1
** The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.
If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.**
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), as seen here.
Offered unregistered and without documents, this rare Parilla production racer is presented in restored condition (the engine turns over).
Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/ or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Key not required
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.
