C 1960 RUMI - Lot 133

Lot n° 133
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Estimation :
4000 - 5000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 8 400EUR
C 1960 RUMI - Lot 133
C 1960 RUMI Serial number: 26965 To be registered as a collector RUMI Fonderie Officine was founded in 1914 in northern Italy. It is a precision foundry. In 1948, it hired engineer Pietro Vassena, who brought with him plans for an engine to be used in a small car. In 1949, he produced a prototype 125 with the famous horizontal twin-cylinder engine. Rumi was immediately encouraged by the success of this model. By 1953, 21,600 units had left the factory, putting Rumi on the podium among Italian manufacturers. This allowed the brand to embark on a little folly: the legendary Formichino (little ant) of 1954. The mechanics are the same as before, apart from a BV4. What sets it apart is its die-cast light-alloy frame. It consists of two parts, front and rear, bolted to the engine. The front section is made up of 2 half-shells, including the fuel tank, headlight and steering column. Despite its marginal definition and high price, around 12,000 examples were built up to 1960. The Rumi won many competitions and classes, including the Bol d'Or 1956, 1957 and 1958. More concerned with technical beauty and sporting prestige than financial results, the company closed its doors in 1962. The Rumi Formichino's face, its flat-twin cylinder with its raging whistle, and its performance made the owners of Vespa, Lambretta and others drool with envy, for indeed, the ramage was worth the plumage. When Vespa was selling 700,000 scooters, Rumi was content to sell 15,000, as it cost twice as much as a Vespa or Lambretta due to its high cost price. There were 3 versions, the Standard, the Sport and the Bol d'Or (due to the brand's success in this competition). Model to be restarted.
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