Aged 20, Jim Pomeroy made one of the most dramatic international debuts in the history of off-road motorcycle sport when he won the Spanish Grand Prix in 1973, the opening round of that year’s 250cc World Championship. In so doing, he became the youngest rider to win a World Championship M-X GP, the 1st rider ever to win such an event on his debut, the 1st American to win a World Championship M-X GP, the 1st American to lead the World Championship, and the 1st rider to win on a Spanish motorcycle. That motorcycle was a Bultaco Pursang.

Jim Pomeroy had been sent to Europe to gain experience at the World level by the US Bultaco importer, and the young American received a limited measure of support from the factory. To begin with, this amounted to little more than the provision of a new Pursang and an entry into the Spanish Grand Prix - Jim had no mechanic and had to assemble the bike himself. Despite the extra work involved, he ended up in pole position for the race and by the end of the first lap had taken the lead. Spurred on by the delirious Spanish fans, he never looked back and won with ease.

Sold new in the USA, this Pursang was raced in AHRMA vintage events by previous owner Bob Hurst, from whom it was purchased in 1998. The machine was garage-stored in San Francisco and moved to the Pomeroy residence in Yakima, WA in 2005 for restoration. It was then completely dismantled and restored by Kevin Hirsch, Jim Pomeroy and Bruce Reynolds to factory specification, using all original parts wherever possible. The engine was rebuilt by Bultaco specialists BR Enterprises, with assorted parts sourced from Hugh’s Bultaco and some provided by Jim himself. Completed in December 2006 and freshly prepared for sale in March 2007, the machine comes with bill of sale, restoration invoices, and Certificate of Title.