Leoncino models came in both two-stroke and four-stroke versions and were built from 1951 to 1971. 125 and 250cc machines were available, and there was also a motofurgone.
Leopoldo Tartarini took a Leoncino to victory in the first Motogiro d’Italia, held in 1953, putting the already well-known Benelli name on the lips of every young rider.
The first four-stroke models appeared in 1956 with overhead camshaft engines. These were replaced by OHV versions a few years later, making them more affordable.
There were also several Leonessa models, which were very similar to the Leoncino. (Leonessa - lioness; Lioncini - lion cub or young lion)
Leoncino Models
1951 Leoncino 125 2T
1952 Leoncino 125 Normale, 2T
1952 Leoncino 125 Sport, 2T
1953 Leoncino Sport S53 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 3-speed
1954 Motofurgoncino Leoncino 125 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1956 Leoncino Normale 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1956 Leoncino Sport 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1956 Leoncino Normale SOHC 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1956 Leoncino Sport SOHC 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1957 Leoncino Normale 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1957 Leoncino Sport 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1957 Leoncino Lusso 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1957 Leoncino Normale SOHC 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1957 Leoncino Sport SOHC 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1958 Leoncino Normale 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1958 Leoncino Sport 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1958 Leoncino Luxe 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1958 Leoncino Normale SOHC 54/54mm 123cc, 3-speed
1958 Leoncino Sport SOHC 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1958 Leoncino 150 2T, B/S 57/57mm 145cc, 4-speed
1959 Leoncino Normale 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1959 Leoncino Sport 2T, B/S 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1959 Leoncino Normale OHV 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1959 Leoncino Sport OHV 54/54mm 123cc, 4-speed
1959 Leoncino 150 2T, B/S 57/57mm 145cc, 4-speed
1963-68 Nuovo Leoncino 123cc two-stroke
1968 Leoncino Scrambler 123cc two-stroke
1968 Nuovo Leoncino 125cc
1968 Nuovo Leoncino 125cc Scrambler
1970-71 Leoncino Cross 123cc two-stroke
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