At the age of 12 Bruno Rossati began working eleven hour days.
"Now, approaching 91, I find myself reminiscing about my youth, still riding my motorcycle every day.
Letter re Ladetto
Moteur monocylindre culbuté
500 cm3
Puissance: 35ch à 5.500 tr/min
Poids: 128 Kg
Vitesse: plus de 170 Km/H
La Dondolino (pour balançoire) est une évolution de la Condor lancée en 1939.
Elle représente parfaitement le concept de moto compétition-client.
En France, un futur grand champion automobile, Jean Behra, fit ses armes sur cette moto et remporta même un titre de champion de France.
Entre 1946 et 1954, la Dondolino remporta pas moins de 170 victoires !
French text: Thomas Bersy
500cc OHV horizontal single cylinder engine
88mm bore, 82mm stroke, 498.4cc
Power: 33 to 35hp at 5,500 rpm
Carburettor: Dell'Orto SS35
Weight: 128 Kg
Max. Speed: over 170 km/h
The Dondolino ("Rocking Chair") is an evolution of the Condor launched in 1939 and produced in limited numbers (about 54) between 1946 and 1951.
It perfectly represents the concept of a privateer racing motorcycle. It made use of extensive use of lightweight materials, for instance magnesium alloy crankcases and brakes, aluminium cylinder head and barrel, and alloy rims.
In France the future car racing champion Jean Behra campaigned one of these and took the French Championship. Another rider won the 1946 Spanish Grand Prix.
Between 1946 and 1954, the Dondolino won no fewer than 170 races.
Paris Salon de l'Automobile, Octobre 1948
LA GUZZI
LES GUZZI
Nous reverrons cette année sur le stand tenu par M. Olivari ces prestigieuses machines dont le palmarès sportif s'est enrichi, depuis la dernière saison, de quelques nouveaux et glorieux fleurons.
Sur notre sol c'est avec une 500 cmc. Guzzi « Dondolino » que notre coureur Behra a remporté son titre de champion de France 1948. Sur le stand on retrouvera avec intérêt les divers modèles de course, d'allure si personnelle.
This year, at Mr. Olivari's stand, we will see these prestigious machines again, whose sporting record has been enriched since last season with some new and glorious additions. On our soil, it was with a 500cc Guzzi "Dondolino" that our rider Behra won his 1948 French championship title. At the stand, you will find with interest the various racing models, each with its own unique style.
1948 Paris Salon, Motocycles. Courtesy Memoire du Cycle.
Sources: Phil Aynsley, Thomas Bersy
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