1983 Benelli 499cc Quattro Frame no. 1983 Engine no. 002006

1983 Benelli 499cc Quattro Registration no. not registered Frame no. 1983 Engine no. 002006 Revitalised after its takeover in 1971 by Argentine industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso, Benelli launched a range of new six- and four-cylinder sports bikes. First of these Honda-inspired machines was the 500 Quattro of 1974, which despite its Oriental-looking power unit was thoroughly Italian in all other respects, boasting a rigid cradle frame, powerful Grimeca drum brakes and alloy wheel rims. The front drum had been replaced by Brembo discs and the model name changed to '504 Sport' by the time Bike magazine got its hands on one in 1979. 'Riding the Sport is a trip,' enthused Britain's No. 1 motorcycling journal. 'In common with most of its Italian compadres, the Benelli delivers handling that is parsecs ahead of the dominant Japanese motorcycles.' The fact that importers Agrati Sales sold so few in the UK was entirely down to the price: at £1,636 the Benelli was a massive 33% more expensive than Kawasaki's Z500! This 500 Quattro was bought from the United States Benelli importer by a dealer for display purposes and kept in their showroom in Indiana for many years. The machine was imported into the UK in 2018 and is described by the vendor as 'like new' in all respects. Indeed, the odometer reading is a mere 17 kilometres. Offered with duties paid and a NOVA acknowledgement. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com