F.B. Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix 1957 - World Of Classic Cars -

F.B. Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix 1957

World War II was over. As the smoke faded and the shattering roar of bombs quieted, Europe turned its mind to recovery. However, the competition spirit was starting to roar again. Now, fighting would occur on racing circuits, with cars and motorbikes drawing crowds to the courses. This resurgence of spirit continued well into the 1950s. While motorsports are inherently dangerous, this was a time of extremes. Engines were getting more powerful, machines were faster and faster, and ingenuity was at the forefront of competition.

While motor car racing was at the height of its Golden Era, motorcycle grand prix racing also provided a thrilling distraction from rebuilding war-torn lives. On two wheels, the likes of Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Gilera, and Norton were battling for the title in the larger 350- and 500-cubic centimeter classes; these were piloted by daredevils that were willing to risk it all for fame and glory. However, for much of that time, in the smaller capacity 125 and 250 classes, F.B. Mondial reigned supreme.

F.B. Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix 1957

Fratelli Boselli, or the Boselli Brothers, of Ancarano, Italy, was established before the war by Giuseppe Boselli and his three brothers. The firm produced tricars up until 1939, and while their premises were destroyed by bombing during the war, they rose from the ashes with typical Italian determination. With the help of Alfonso Drusiani, they designed a very modern bike with an OHC timing gear and dry-sump lubrication. It was eventually developed into a DOHC version, the Mondial, which won its first outing at the Monza Grand Prix in 1948.

The following year brought the inaugural Grand Prix World Championship series. From the onset, Mondial absolutely dominated the 125-cubic centimeter class, winning back-to-back-to-back championships. So dominant, in fact, that they won every race in which they competed. 

F.B. Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix 1957

In 1956, a new 250-cubic centimeter DOHC engine was developed, with the help of Drusiani, who had returned to the company after a brief absence. His return was a godsend, as Tarquinio Provini, Cecil Sandford, and Sammy Miller won the 125 and 250 World Championships for the boutique Italian marque.

The hair-raising 1957 season began at Hockenheim, where Sandford finished an impressive 3rd overall. Following the German GP, the season moved to the venerable Isle of Man for the Tourist Trophy races. Sandford took his first checkered flag for the year, while Provini lead the way in the 125 class. Provini would prove the hero at the GP of Holland, as Sandford finished 2nd to his teammate. Sandford continued his run with a 2nd place finish at Spa, a 3rd overall at the Belgium GP, and another victory at the GP of Ulster in Belfast. Not to be outdone, Provini would take the lead at Monza, while Sandford finished a respectable 4th.

After the dust settled, F.B. Mondial had won four out of six 250 events that year, with two of them being won with Cecil Sandford at the controls. After a grueling battle across the continent, Sandford was crowned 250 World Champion, with his teammates Provini and Miller as the runners-up. Though, it should also be noted that Provini absolutely dominated the 125 class, with three wins and his own World Championship title. 

F.B. Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix 1957

With F.B. Mondial withdrawing from racing after the 1957 season, these would be the last World Championships that the Fratelli Boselli Mondial Motorcycle Company would lay claim to. The end of the 1957 season also brought about the end of the Golden Age of motor racing, be it on four wheels or two. Most Italian marques, including F.B Mondial, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, and MV Augusta, agreed to stop competitive racing, citing escalating costs and dwindling sales (though MV Agusta would ultimately decide against withdrawing).

The bike shown here is one of three 250-cubic centimeter Works bikes that were campaigned by F.B. Mondial for their final season. It is strongly believed to be the one Cecil Sandford, and eventually Tarquinio Provini, expertly piloted to such success. 

F.B. Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix

While mechanically impressive with its bodywork removed, this 250 legend has an undeniable presence with its fairings on. The silver armor serves more than to just protect the innovative internals of the motorcycle; it also provides an aerodynamic advantage for the rider and his machine—a technology that was still in its infancy. While many manufacturers were experimenting with fairings and wind-cheating bodies, few did it with the elegance and grace of the Boselli brothers. 

Sammy Miller, founder of the motorcycle museum that bears his name, was asked, “You are a great rider, you had success in most of the categories of racing, but which bike do you put on the podium?” He quickly responded, “I choose the 250 Mondial…it is the last four-stroke engine to fight honorably against the two-stroke engine in the late ’50s.” Sammy Miller finished 3rd overall in the 1957 World Championship, at the handle bars of the very same F.B. Mondial 250 he still owns today.

F.B. Mondial 250 Bialbero Grand Prix

This 250 Mondial is one of the most historically important Italian race bikes of the Modern Era, as it was built by a renowned constructor, driven by a legendary figure, and is bearing superb engineering that is shrouded in streamlined grace.