The horizontal-engine Aermacchi 250-cc sportster started to win races in the late 1950s, once shorn of its Art Deco bodywork. In 1960 Harley-Davidson enabled Aermacchi to organize its production following an injection of capital.

By 1961, Aermacchi Ala D’Oro (Golden wing) racers were winning 250-cc events, but the class quickly attracted competitors like Yamaha, Bultaco, Cotton, and Greeves. The answer was to go up a class, and Aermacchi also offered a 350-cc engine in 1964 scoring 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th, places at the Isle of Man in 350-cc Junior TT.

By 1967, 250-cc and 350-cc Aermacchis were models of reliability. It’s these short-stroke machines that are so popular in today’s AHRMA racing. The bike on offer was restored and race-prepped by Altinier Racing, of Treviso, Italy. It is ready for the track or to be displayed in a collection.