Benelli was founded in 1911 in Pesaro, on Italy's Adriatic coast, and went on to build a wide range of lightweight motorcycles and small mopeds. When Benelli took over Motobi in 1962, the two names shared the same factory and many designs, which is why this model also turns up in period listings as the Benelli Motobi America 49. 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. The seller calls it one of the most beautiful Benelli mopeds ever built: in almost perfect, mint condition, starting and running, and with Dutch papers. The bike is located in Belgium.

Condition

The seller describes the moped as being in almost perfect, mint condition and states that it starts and runs. 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. The listing details show 1,234 km. Whether the paint and chrome are original or restored is not stated, and no service history is mentioned. Matching numbers are not claimed for this example.

Market Comparison

Comparable listings are thin. The closest match we found is an asking price (not a sale price) of about EUR 2,000 for a fully restored 1970 Benelli Motobi America 49 in Italy, while other Benelli 50cc models from the late 1960s and early 1970s are advertised on Car & Classic for roughly EUR 1,800 to EUR 3,900 depending on the model. 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:

• Mileage: 1,234 km as entered in the listing details, not verified.

• Documents: the seller mentions "Netherlands documents" without saying which papers these are - confirm before bidding if this matters for your registration.

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

• Originality: not stated whether paint and chrome are original or restored, and no service history is mentioned.

• Matching numbers are not claimed for this example.

• No faults are reported by the seller, but 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 papers ("Netherlands documents", as the seller puts it)

Why This Is a Smart Opportunity

A small, good-looking Italian lightweight that, according to the seller, starts and runs 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. Ask the seller about the mileage, the papers and the service history before you bid.

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