1956 Parilla 175cc Sport Special Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. 400603
Engine no. 407086

Giovanni Parrilla built his first motorcycle in 1946, dropping his surname's second 'r' to call the machine a Parilla. The first Parilla motorcycle - a 250cc overhead-camshaft single-cylinder racer - was the work of Giuseppe Salmaggi, who already had the Gilera Saturno to his credit. The firm went on to build a range of lightweight machines using two-stroke and four-stroke engines, and in 1952 at the Milan Show introduced the 'high cam' (camme rialzata) model for which it is best remembered. This was a 175cc single, built in Turismo and Competizione versions, which featured a chain-driven camshaft mounted on the side of the cylinder head, the valves being operated via short pushrods. Stunningly beautiful, Parilla's production racer was also exceedingly quick, one not-yet-run-in Competizione being clocked at over 96mph by an American magazine. Not surprisingly the 'high-cam' model proved extremely successful on the racetrack, particularly in the USA, and enlarged versions of 200cc and 250cc capacity followed.

Its engine race-prepared in period, this Parilla 175 Sport Special has been built for historic racing using period components, including a Veglia competition rev counter, offset footrests, lower handlebars, racing seat, and racing fuel tank. We are advised that this machine is ready to be used for historic racing or parading, or just for show. There are no documents with this Lot.