1956 CM 250cc Production Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. MV01721 (partially deteriorated)
Engine no. 250SSCM 01768

• Ultra-rare Italian racing motorcycle
• Ridden by Nello Pagani, Celeste Cavaciuti and Gianemilio Marchesani
• Presented in 'Milan-Taranto' specification

CM was founded in Bologna in 1930 by rider/engineers Oreste Drusiani (whose son Alfonso would later find fame with Mondial) and Mario Cavedagna. Powered by overhead-valve and overhead-camshaft engines of various capacities up to 500cc, CM's motorcycles soon gained a reputation for both indestructibility and speed, its 'cammy' 350 ridden successfully by Guglielmo Sandri in the mid-1930s being particularly noteworthy. The company kept faith with the four-stroke engine in the immediately post-war years and then in 1949 introduced the first of a range of two-strokes, the ultimate expression of which was a 250cc twin, as seen here. But the company was not yet done with four-stroke models, launching the overhead-cam Francolino 175 sports roadster in 1956. Belatedly climbing aboard the scooter bandwagon in 1958, the firm had ceased production by the decade's end.

The vendor advises us that this ultra-rare Italian racing motorcycle was ridden by Nello Pagani, Celeste Cavaciuti and Gianemilio Marchesani, the latter achieving two fifth places, one seventh and one third place in the Italian championship with it. With its current setup, complete with lights, this machine participated in the Milan-Taranto long-distance road race. The machine carries the Turin registration number 'TO12 4336' but there are no documents offered with it.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.