Powered by its maker's trademark engine, a 125cc parallel-twin two-stroke with horizontal cylinders, the ultimate development of Moto Rumi's Formichino scooter - the Bol d'Or - took its name from the eponymous French 24-hour endurance race that had first welcomed scooters in 1955. Lambretta held sway for the first couple of seasons before Rumi took over, capitalising on its success by launching the Bol d'Or production racer in time for the 1959 season. The Bol d'Or's engine was based on that of the Tipo Sport, featuring aluminium alloy cylinders with chromium-plated bores. Twin Dell'Orto 18mm carburettors were fitted to the production model, which was good for 75mph, while with the optional 22mm instruments installed a Bol d'Or in full race tune could comfortably exceed 90mph.

Representing the pinnacle of the Austrian owner's Rumi collection, this ultra-fast Bol d'Or racer has been in his possession for the past ten years and has been raced and exhibited widely since acquisition. The machine features Rumi's special tuning kit consisting of a long-range fuel tank, 22mm carburettors, halogen headlight and 'Infernale' megaphone exhausts (not the most efficient for a two-stroke but loud enough to wake the dead!). The Bol d'Or was not raced in 2011 and will (probably) require a carburettor clean and fresh fuel before further use. Within the last year the wheel rims have been renewed and repainted, special racing tyres fitted, stronger clutch springs installed, the front mudguard repainted and all engine bearings replaced. A 'must have' for the dedicated scooter collector.