Benelli was founded in 1911 in Pesaro, on Italy's Adriatic coast, and went on to build a wide range of motorcycles and mopeds. By the early 1970s the range of small Benelli machines was broad, and the America stood out among the 50cc bikes of its day with its silver tank and round Benelli badge, black frame and mudguards, chrome rear carrier and a little lion mascot on the front mudguard.

This example is listed as a 1970 Benelli 50 America with a 50cc two-stroke engine and a four-speed gearbox. It is one of the most beautiful Benelli mopeds ever built, and this one is in almost perfect, mint condition, starting and running, and with Dutch papers. The bike is located in Belgium.

Condition

The moped had a thorough esthetical and mechanical restoration and is therefore in excellent, superb mint condition, starting and running. The photos back that up: the silver tank and black paintwork are glossy and clean, the chrome of the exhaust, carrier and mudguard trim is bright, the seat shows no visible tears, the spoked wheels carry good-looking tyres and the engine looks tidy.

Market Comparison

There are a few other examples available on the market, with prices ranging from €1,500 to €3,200. These are asking prices, not realised sales, so treat them as a guide only. This example's starting bid is EUR 900.

Known Issues / Transparency

We want to be upfront about what is and isn't confirmed:

• Low mileage after restoration. 

• Documents: The moped was previously owned in the Netherlands, but now has Dutch export documents and can therefore easily be re-registered in any other country. 

• Model year: the listing details give 1970 - check this against the papers.

• Originality: chrome, paint and mechanics are restored. 

• Matching numbers are not claimed for this example.

• No faults are reported, no technical inspection report is provided - a pre-purchase inspection is recommended, as with any purchase of this kind.

What Is Included?

• The moped as described and pictured

• Dutch export papers

Why This Is a Smart Opportunity

A small, good-looking Italian moped, starting and running and looks close to new in the photos, offered from EUR 900 - below the asking prices we found for comparable Benelli 50s. Easy to store, cheap to run and simple to enjoy, it is also a sensible way into the market for early-1970s Italian lightweights.

This moped is sold in the condition it is in, without any warranty. Good luck with your bidding.