Formed in 1944 by Pedro Permanyer and Francisco Bulto, the Montesa motorcycle company designed it’s first competition machine, a 125cc, which became very successful during the 1950’s, and took second, third and fourth places in the ultra-lightweight race at the Isle of Man TT in 1956. During the 1960’s a 250cc engine was designed and mounted on the Scorpion scrambler which went on to win the Spanish Trials Championship in 1966. This engine was the cornerstone of Montesa’s success.

Primarily selling throughout Europe, further trials models followed in many different sizes including the Cota 348 which British Trials Champion Malcolm Rathmell helped develop in 1975. Due to his success, Montesa offered the 348 as a ‘Rathmell Replica’ which was adorned with his signature on the side - such as we have here!.

The history of this motorcycle

First registered on the 1st August 1982, not much is known about the history of this bike and sidecar. The owner’s handwritten notes suggest that the combo’ may have been purchased around 2015 from veteran three-wheel ace, Bert White, the well known competitor from the 1970’s, ’80’s and ’90’s who we believe is still active in the sidecar scene and regularly imparts his riding skills and knowledge at demo events and has also been actively involved in the OWD Codgers & Friends Motorcycle Club events.

Sadly, the elderly owner of this Montesa and sidecar has recently passed away and we are not sure if he actually competed with the combo’.

#Classic #Moto #Montesa