The stressed aluminum alloy
bodywork was essentially divided into two parts:
the front divided in turn
into two shells, which incorporated the front forks, the headlight and
the fuel tank; and the rear sections which constituted the seat base and
the mudguard over the driven wheel.
The production of the aluminum
castings was handled by the Metalpress Company of Bergamo, Italy. The firm
was part of the Rumi industrial group and specialised in diecasting techniques.
The engine was intelligently located at the center of the machine and acted
as a stress member connecting the two chassis elements. It was equipped
right from the start with a four speed gearbox and the same engine was
used to power the contemporary "Sport" and "Turismo" models, a fact that
did a lot to simplify production processes. Deliveries began in July 1954
and the first examples put into circulation were fitted with a single leading
link front suspension system. This was a very well made, but expensive,
feature and subsequent standard production models adopted a fork with two
lower leading links.
In 1956, modifications were
made to the rear section of the bodywork, which was split into two parts
instead of being formed froma single casting. Veglia speedometer-odometer
was mounted on the handlebar. A year later, the Milan Trade Fair was again
the setting for the presentation of the "Sport" model, distinguished by
new aluminum cylinder barrels and a carburetor with a 22mm choke tube in
this form, the engine's power output rode to 5hp and top speed to 105kph.
The "Formichino" range was
further extended in 1955 when new versions were introduced alongside the
"Normale" (Standard) and "Sport". The "ST-EC" model featured pressed steel
bodywork, a tubular frame and a tubular steel front fork. The EC part of
the name stood for "Economical" and in fact the scooter was sold for just
125,000 lira. A few hundred examples were produced, mostly designed for
export markets. This version was painted British Racing Green with white
stripes on the tank.
The "Formichino Lusso" was
practically the same as the standard model but was equipped with a number
of accessories such as a dual seat, cast aluminum footrests for the passenger,
chromed hubcaps and a chromed strip on the rear mudguard. On request it
could be equipped with 3.50 x 10" tires and the color range was considerably
widened.
Following the first place
successes obtained at Monthlery in the 1957 and the 1958 Bol d'Or events,
the scooter was also offered in a special "Bol d'Or" edition. This version
was specifically prepared for endurance races and, not surprisingly , it
was painted gold. The engine developed 8.5hp at 7200rpm, a degree of performance
that was achieved by fitting special chrome barreled aluminum cylinders,
as well as two Dell 'Orto 18mm carburetors. On request, the machine could
also be supplied with 22mm carburetors. Improved suspension was also fitted
to this model, as were 3.50 x 10" tires and a supplementary fuel tank.
Tank decals on the "Sport" and "Bol d'Or" versions included the usual Rumi
trademark, plus the Italian flag, as on the competition models.
Again in 1958 a version fitted
with a 149.9 cm3 engine was introduced throughout the model range. This
unit had a bore of 46mm and a stroke of 45mm and developed 9hp at 6500rpm.
In 1959, the "Normale" model remained in production unchanged, whilst the
"Sport" was fitted with the chrome barreled aluminum cylinders and fitted
with 3.50 x 10" tires as standard equipment.
Production of the "Formichino"
only ceased when the motorcycle division of the "Fonderie Officine Rumi"
finally closed down in 1962." |
