THE FUTURISTIC AERMACCHI CHIMERA caused a sensation when it was launched at the 1956 Milan show. Under the easily removable alloy and pressed-steel bodywork was some slick engineering. The o.h.v. engine had a horizontal cylinder and was available first in 175 and then 250cc capacities.
The frame was a tubular spine with rear suspension controlled by a single shock absorber mounted almost horizontally above the spine. Unfortunately the design was not a sales success, and it was only when the designer, Alfredo Bianchi, stripped away the bodywork and replaced the rear suspension with a conventional system that Aermacchi achieved sales and racing success.
| Model: | Aermacchi Chimera 250 |
| Capacity: | 246 cc |
| Power output: | 16 bhp |
| Weight: | Not known |
| Top speed: | 80 mph (130 km/h) |
| Country of origin: | Italy |