1975 PUCH MC175 FRIGERIO SEMI-WORKS ENDURO

Chassis 3804158
Engine 3804158

- Semi-Works Fratelli Frigerio motorbike, prepared at the time
- Participant in the 27th Valli Bergamasche in 1975
- Original and never restored, still with the stamps of some races of the time
- Passing papers, first Milan number plate and first booklet
- Documented history since new, presence of material from the period
- A splendid motorbike in every detail

Estimate € 5.000 - 10.000

Between the 1960s and 1970s, important pages of motorbike regularity were written in Italy. A true sporting and cultural phenomenon drove many young people to race off-road motorbikes in a series of regularity events wherever there was a dirt road. Big brands that are still known today, such as KTM, cemented a reputation that endures to this day. Puch in particular established itself as one of the most successful Austrian brands. Renowned for its rabid response and violent acceleration from low revs, it was among the bikes to beat in the sub-250cc categories.

In 1972, Puch introduced a remodelled version of their 175. Equipped with a more stable chassis and a reinforced 5-speed engine, it was characterised by a more docile nature and progressive throttle response without sacrificing pure power. In Italy, Puchs were imported by the Fratelli Frigerio, who not only sold but also prepared the bikes for their official team as well as for the numerous privateers who competed in regularity races.

The motorbike on offer belongs to the last series of the MC175 imported and assembled by the Frigerio brothers, before they began mass production of their motorbikes in 1976. The first owner was Carlo Sponza of Cornaredo, a private rider and member of the Moto Club Madunina. This motorbike was immediately given a semi-official preparation by the Fratelli: it was immediately equipped with Marzocchi magnesium ZTI forks, Marzocchi shock absorbers with separate reservoir and a specific fibreglass tank, which differed from the plastic one of the series version. Other details of this preparation still present on the bike today are the conical hub of the front wheel and the mounting of the coil on a piece of anti-vibration tarred rubber under the tank.

To compensate for Mr Sponza's height, the seat was padded further to increase the ease of riding. The bike boasts an extensive presence at several races of the time, all of which were run in 1975. According to the documentation that accompanies this bike the verified races are:
The 27th Valli Bergamasche International Regularity Rally on 13 and 14 September 1975, in which he participated in category E with number 167. Withdrawn on the second day. The number is visible in several places on the motorbike.
FMI Trophy of Regularity, September 1975 at Ottone dell'Elba. Result and number not available;
Albavilla Classica, raced in November 1975. Sponza came 3rd in the Group E category;
Gilera Trophy of 28 September 1975, number 49, 6th in category. The number 49 appears on the original apron.
2 Days of Camerino 26/27 July 1975. Group E 10th classified.

The bike still features some markings on the forks and frame from some of these races. Specifically, the bike bears the number 117 on a rear shock absorber and the number 146 on the front fork, the latter corresponding to a regularity race organised at the time by the Centauro Club of Bra.

The bike had four owners before being acquired in 1998 by the depositor, who had the engine overhauled by Fratelli Frigerio in the early 2000s. The bike is currently fitted with original Metzeler Six Days type 30021 tyres at the front and 40018 at the rear. The front mudguard is a Falk fitted at the time, which can be verified by the documentation, but it is supplied with its original. It is supplied with its original yellow number holder apron with the ride number "49" written on it and a new one that has never been used. The bike is fitted with its original exhaust of the time, which was never modified, and is offered with documentation from the races of the time and a set of original Puch stickers.

A true motorbike that is a 'time capsule' in terms of originality, history and condition that takes you back to one of the most exciting pages in the history of Italian motorcycling. Never restored and with the semi-official preparation of the Frigerio brothers, it is a collector's piece that will keep the roar of an era alive.