1968 Benelli Leoncino
Miles: 1,710
Bidding starts today
SELLER
Lightweight and perfectly aimed for the burgeoning American scrambler market, the Benelli Leoncino is a quintessential Italian bike at its best, with a lightweight body and straightforward engineering offering a 49cc two-stroke that was thoroughly amiable. The “Hunters Special”, released in 1968, was a limited production model to try and endear the bike to Americans. Only 50 are believed to have ever been sold.
What makes this vanishingly rare Leoncino even more special is its remarkable state of preservation, having been cherished by collectors who have kept it as a remarkably handsome display piece rather than using it on the road. The result is a great example of a truly hot collectable.
History and Paperwork
• Located in Portugal, but not road registered
• 1968 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler “Hunters Special” from a dissolving private collection
• Previously owned by an Italian collector who displayed it in his living room
• Consistently maintained and properly stored since new
• Comes with the original grey-cover ownership document booklet from Italy dated 1968
• Registered in Italy
• Showing just 1,710 original miles on the odometer
The Condition
• Original paint finish remains in place throughout
• Original water transfer emblems and decals still intact
• Appears to retain what may be the original tyres
• Special utility rack on the back of the bike remains in place
• The vendor states the condition is truly exceptional for a 57-year-old motorcycle
• Has been primarily displayed in the current owner’s vacation house entrance
SELLER
Extremely rare US-only “Hunters Special” model, believed to be one of less than 50 ever soldJust 1,710 original miles from new
Unique dual rear sprocket setup for both road and off-road use
Comes with original 1968 Italian ownership document booklet
From a carefully curated classic motorcycle collection that’s being sold over the coming days
RSBFS
Okay, okay. This isn’t a track bike. It isn’t a street bike. But it is rare, wildly cool, and unmistakably special. Every now and then, a motorcycle earns its place not because it fits neatly into a category, but because it oozes cool worth sharing. This 1968 Benelli Leoncino does exactly that, which is why we were happy to step outside our usual street/track-focused umbrella for the day. After all, as Red pointed out, hunting is a sport 😉
This also happens to be the second bike Jo has brought to auction this holiday season, and it won’t be the last. Keep an eye out — there’s more coming. The bike is located in Lisbon, Portugal and can be shipped anywhere in the world. Jo has experience and can assist the buyer as needed.
In the meantime, share this one far and wide with your motorcycle-obsessed friends. Somewhere out there is the right collector, and chances are, they’ve been looking for this very bike.
Bidding begins tonight! Good luck to the buyer and Jo!
Jo’s Bikes at auction over the next week:
All bikes except 2 are located in Lisbon, Portugal
The two bikes stored in Germany are noted.
Auctions begining tonight, Friday Dec 19
1985 GSXR750 ( 1st year, restored)
1968 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler ( rare, 1710 miles from new, unrestored)
Auctions begining Dec 21
1978 Z1R-Z1000S (0km after full restoration)
Auctions begining Dec 22
1980 Kawasaki KZ1300B2 (This bike is stored in Germany)
Auctions begining Dec 23
1979 Bimota SB3 ( brandnew, 2km on odometer)
1984 SL500 Pantah (only 315km from new, bike is stored in Germany)
