Description
This motorcycle is Lot 65 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
** c. 1956 Rumi 125cc Formichino**
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 21253
Engine no. * 23421*
** 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.**
"Moto Rumi's Formichino scooter is perhaps the one motorscooter respected by motorcyclists – probably because it can melt the paint off many 250cc motorcycles of the era with its amazing horizontal two-cylinder two-stroke 125cc engine." – Dregni & Dregni, Illustrated Motorscooter Buyer's Guide.
It is for its motor scooters that Rumi is best remembered today, particularly the Formichino (Little Ant) and its derivatives, which were among the fastest scooters of their day. Rumi was founded in Bergamo, Italy at the beginning of the 20th Century. The company originally supplied components to the textile industry and during World War 2 produced miniature submarines and torpedoes. Headed by Donnino Rumi, it switched to motorcycle manufacture at the war's end, introducing its first Turismo model in 1950. This little gem was powered by what would become Rumi's trademark engine: a 125cc parallel-twin two-stroke, the cylinders of which were inclined horizontally.
Built in numerous different stages of tune, this wonderfully versatile motor was used to power standard, Sport and Competizione models, as well as a range of highly advanced scooters. A masterpiece of scooter design, Rumi's Formichino (Little Ant) arrived in 1954 and progressed via Normale and Lusso versions to the Sport and Bol d'Or racer. Its rivals might have been designed with cheapness and simplicity in mind but Donnino Rumi started from engineering first principles with the Formichino, using the engine as a stressed member of the chassis, which was made up from aluminium castings bolted together. Sadly, despite its technical innovation and engineering prowess, Rumi had gone by 1962. Today the Formichino is today one of the most highly sought-after of all scooters.
This beautiful Formichino carries the Italian registration plate 'UD10 5224', indicating that it was last registered in Udine in north east Italy. Believed to be an older restoration, the machine currently displays a total of 23 kilometres on the odometer, which is assumed to be the distance travelled since the restoration. It should be noted that the kickstart does not engage with the engine.
Offered unregistered and without documents. 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.
