1962 Aermacchi Chimera Is a Space Age Gem

The 1962 Aermacchi Chimera recently for sale on eBay is one of just 177 made. The space-age styling gem inspired a successful Harley-Davidson engine.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Floating on Air

The literal English translation of “aer macchi” is air machine. Founded in northwest Italy in 1912, Aermacchi produced civil aircraft, seaplanes, trainers, and fighter aircraft until 2003. Many Aermacchi aircraft are still in the skies today.

Motorcycle manufacturing is only a brief chapter in the company’s long history. Like many firms in the wake of World War II, Aermachhi responded to the overwhelming need for affordable and dependable transport. In 1951, the company launched its first machine—the oddly-named Convertible. Over the next four years, it added several derivative, semi-enclosed models with 125-cc and 150-cc two-stroke motors.

In 1956, Aermacchi changed its approach and ditched the two-stroke units for a new, four-stroke, horizontal piston design, which became its standard layout. Aermacchi equipped the new Chimera with a four-stroke engine. Although nobody knew it at the time, it played a significant part in the history of Harley-Davidson.

Fire-Breathing Monster

In Greek mythology, a chimera is a fire-breathing female monster with a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail. The Aermacchi version has even more visual appeal. 

Albert Bianchi designed the styling and color schemes to entice buyers fascinated by the space age. The panels—including the clutch and generator covers—are not made from sheet metal, as you’d reasonably expect. Instead, almost everything is cast in aluminum. The company made the tank and seat panel from one piece. 

The Chimera’s rear spring/damper unit hides beneath the seat. Behind the front mudguard, the air intake is embellished with an intricate, separate alloy-cast piece inlaid beautifully into the main panel. The more you look, the more your eye is treated to beautiful detail, fit, and finish.

Harley-Davidson Connection

Unfortunately, this new sleek machine struggled to find buyers. Between 1956 and 1964, Aermacchi built just 119 examples with a 175-cc motor and 177 with the 250-cc version.

By 1960, things were looking bleak for the Italians. That’s a shame because their machine was pretty. The 177-cc Aermacchi Chimera dished out a healthy 13 horsepower, while the 250 produced closer to 20 horsepower. This caught the attention of a certain concern from Milwaukee, Wisc.

1970s Harley-Davidson Aermacchis

In 1960, Harley-Davidson acquired 50 percent of Aermacchi stock to bridge the gap in its range between the little 125-cc Hummer and its more usual large-capacity offerings. The Chimera was redesigned, the motor was adopted and built in-house, and the Harley-Davidson Sprint was born.

Despite some H-D dealers being unenthusiastic about the Euro upstart, the Sprint succeeded in AMA competition in the 1960s on long and short tracks. George Roeder piloted a streamliner special with a version of the 250-cc engine to a two-way speed record of 177 mph.

Potential Show Condition

The bike for sale on eBay is part of the seller’s extensive collection of Italian motorcycles in Tarzana, Calif. The photos do a fine job of showcasing the eye-popping details in the motorcycle’s amazing design. They also show the one area requiring cosmetic attention before you park it up for judging. It is well within the capabilities of a time-served paint technician.

With that out of the way, all you’ll need is somewhere to show off the silverware this rare Italian exotic will likely earn.