New Morini at Ron Angel Motorcycles Richmond mid 80's
courtesy Shane McCartin
Halcyon Days 1972 to 1985
Since the early 1950's a small number of Moto Morini were brought to Australia by immigrants from Europe.
In the early 1970s Ken George Yamaha, a dealer in Victoria Park WA, brought in some Corsaros and Corsarinos:
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12 125cc Corsaro - 6 black and red and 6 black and yellow
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30 49cc Corsarino Scramblers
Loyd Chapman Ducati also in WA was the importer of the larger Morini there were:
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6 3½ Sport
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6 3½ Strada
Examples of these early imports still survive today...
125cc Corsaro found in Perth (formerly owned by Ross Banister)
Ron Angel, based in Richmond, Melbourne, started importing the 3½ Sport and Strada in 1975. The 500 was imported from 1978 up to 1983 in its various forms. This included the Sport from 1980 and the Camel in 1982.
Approximately six Camels were imported in 1982, all being the very first model Camel that the Morini factory produced. At least two more Camels were privately imported by a German and a UK tourist and sold in Australia before returning home. The 350 was imported right up to 1984 but by then it was down to only one bike. It has been estimated that between 200 and 300 Morinis were imported into Australia during the 11 years from 1974-85.
Opposite is Morini Advertising - from Australian Motorcycle News November 1976.
Some of the dealers during the late 1970's early 1980's were:
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Yamaha dealer in Hay Street, Perth WA, certainly in the early 1980's
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Ron Angel the importer in Richmond, Melbourne sold Morini direct from its showroom floor
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Stoney Creek Motorcycles, Bexley, Sydney was selling Morini at least around 1978-80
