F.B. MONDIAL

250 Grand Prix Twin -1956

A botched attempt

Since the start of the world championship series in 1949, the Mondial and MV Agusta firms had dominated the 125cc class. NSU certainly gave them some competition in 1953-55, but the constructor's title had always gone to one or the other of the Italian marques. Mondial decided to try its luck in the next category up. MV had done so in 1955 with a 250 single derived from the 125, and won the title at its first attempt.

An Enormous Mistake

Designer Drusiani made an enormous mistake in trying to do everything at once. His first 250 Mondial twin of 1956 was basically two 125s mounted side-by-side. It was powerful but temperamental, tricky to ride, heavy and cumbersome, with an awkward offset drive chain. Works rider Tarquinio Provini didn't manage to win anything, and Lino Tonti was asked to design another twin.

Mistrust of Twins

He was forced to offer his design first to Bianchi and then to Paton because Mondial, badly bitten, refused to consider another twin. Less powerful at 29 hp, but more compact (265 lb) and entrusted to Sandford (world 125cc champion for MV in 1952), Provini and Sammy Miller, the 250 singles took the first three places in the 1957 World Championship. Gilera, Guzzi and Mondial then retired from competition and Provini took his revenge in 1958 on a 250 MV twin. The cost of completely redesigning the 250 twin had cost Mondial plenty.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 248cc (55x56mm) air-cooled twincylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 35 hp @ 10,000 rpm

Valves: twin overhead camshafts driven by shaft and bevel

Fuel System: carburetor

Transmission: 6-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swinging fork (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: wire (front & rear)

Weight: 309lb

Maximum Speed: 137 mph

Though Mondial bad entered the 1956 season in a state of high euphoria, it proved short-lived; the 250 twin was excessively wide.