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 Benelli - 250 Quattro Gran Premio
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Benelli Quattro Gran Premio motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
914

Capacity : 250
Model : Quattro Gran Premio
Production : 1960 - 1969
Category : (R) Racing

BENELLI

250-4 Grand Prix - 1969

Thirty years to win a world title

As early as 1940, Benelli unveiled a spectacular supercharged water-cooled 250cc four with an unbelievable performance: 52.4hp @ 10,000rpm and a top speed of 143mph! The outbreak of war and the ban on supercharging brought the project to a premature end but in June 1960, twenty years later, the company from Pesaro unveiled a new 250cc racing four.

Technical Innovation

Unlike the rival MV Agustas and Gileras (and the 1940 250-4), the new Benelli had near-vertical cylinders. Its open double cradle frame soon gave way to a classic loop frame and, after two years' development, the Benelli started racing in 1962. After winning its first victory in 1964 at Barcelona, the 250-4 distinguished itself in 1965 by winning the Grand Prix des Nations at Monza and by – temporarily – becoming the first works machine to fit twin hydraulic disk front brakes. Previously it had used a four-cam drum brake controlled by dual levers, which called for skill and a strong right hand. In its original six-speed version, the 250-4 developed 140hp@ 13,000rpm and weighed just under 270 lb.

The 1969 World Champion

It was not until the late Sixties that the Benelli-4 really dominated the international scene with first Renzo Pasolini and then, in 1969, Kel Carruthers, who won the world 250cc championship. It was one of only two world titles ever held by Benelli. Ambitiously, Benelli then planned a bizarre 32-valve 250cc V8, but once again the project fell victim to a change in the rules, which restricted 250cc racers to two cylinders.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: air-cooled 247cc (44x40.6mm) transverse four-cylinder with magneto ignition and dry-sump lubrication

Power Rating: 55hp @ 15,000rpm

Valves: shaft-driven twin overhead camshafts, 8 valves

Fuel System: 4 Dell'Orto carburetors

Transmission: 7 speeds

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

Brakes: drum (front and rear)

Wheels: 3.00x18in (front); 3.25x18in (rear)

Weight: 256 lb

Maximum Speed: 152 mph

The 250cc world champion bike was subsequently developed into a 16-valve 350 (inset).




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.