1965 Benelli Wards Riverside

Here is something you genuinely do not see every day. This 1965 Benelli Wards Riverside 250 is a bona fide piece of motorcycle history and one of the more interesting catalogue bikes to come up at auction in a long time. Built by Benelli in Pesaro, Italy, and sold in the United States through Montgomery Ward department stores under their Riverside house brand, these machines were never produced in huge numbers and survivors in this condition are genuinely rare.

The catalogue bike era of the 1950s and 1960s was a fascinating chapter in motorcycle history. Montgomery Ward, Sears and a handful of other American retailers struck deals with European manufacturers to private-label machines for their mail-order catalogues. Benelli was one of the key suppliers, and this 250cc single-cylinder scrambler is a prime example of that era. The Montgomery Ward MW logo is cast directly into the right-side engine cover - the kind of hard-to-fake authenticity detail that serious collectors get excited about.

This example presents extraordinarily well. The white frame and tank with their striking checkered flag graphic and Wards Riverside oval decals are vibrant and largely intact. The stainless steel mudguards are polished to a near-mirror shine and completely free of rust or denting. The chrome exhaust, handlebars, wheel rims and spokes are all in excellent condition for the age. New tyres have been fitted. New battery installed. The Veglia Borletti speedometer, correct for this Italian-supplied machine, shows just 1 mile.

The 250cc Benelli single-cylinder engine presents cleanly with no visible oil leaks or external corrosion. Engine number HS-11750 is clearly stamped and legible. The frame number area has been cleaned and shows no evidence of tampering. Original handbook and associated documentation are present.

If you are after a piece that will stop conversations at a show, confound the experts, and represent genuine Italian-American motorcycle history, this is the one. A serious collector piece with strong display potential and real rarity on its side.


Key #F36

Location of item: 18 Paradise Road, Acacia Ridge, QLD, Australia

As Standard Auction Practice all Vehicles are Sold Unregistered



As with all vehicles sold in the Classic Car Division, they have been well looked after by their previous owners. This is an Auction Sale. This asset is sold under standard auction conditions, as is, where is. High volumes of incoming product prevent our team from being able to inspect all items individually. All photos, descriptions, odometer readings, hour readings, engine specifications and any condition reports should be used as a guide only and have been compiled after speaking with the owners. To find out more about this lot or to book a live video inspection please contact the Auctioneer Contact which can be found on the Auction Details page. There is no statutory warranty & no cooling off period.

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