500 Rondine Carenata

One of Gilera’s objectives was to win the speed record. To this end, at least one of the six Rondine bikes created at the C.N.A. was used. The bike, developed with the Caproni wind tunnel, was entirely faired, with a large stabilising rear fin and a made-to-measure frame. The bike also had a supercharged engine, a longer frame and modified wheels, while the pistons were adapted for fuelling by alcohol. The first objective was winning the medium-distance record, with the short distance and flying kilometre records being aimed at further on. Thus it was the selfsame Taruffi who rode the bike on the Bergamo-Brescia lap on the 29th April. All the previous records were broken by a good 10 km/hour. The 2nd October of the same year, on the same road stretch, Taruffi also won the 5 km, 5 mile, 10 km and 10 mile records held by Henne (BMW) and Handley (F.N.), with an average of 274.933 km/h over 5 km. The win was valid for the 750 and 1000 classes as well. The 13th of that same month the flying mile record held by Henne (BMW) and Handley (F.N.), with an average of 274.933 km/h over 5 km. The win was valid for the 750 and 1000 classes as well. The 13th of that same month the flying mile record was also won (at a speed of 272.064 km/h, with a passage of an average 272.324 km/h), as well as the start from standstill record.  Which in fact arrived on the 21st October 1937, between the 80th and 82nd kilometres of the Bergamo-Brescia lap. Piero Taruffi reached an average of 274.181 km/h: the absolute record was broken, with a single regret: at just 45 thousands of a second over the speed of Fernihough (Brough Superior), the record was valid for the 500 and the 750 classes, but not the 1000. In 1939, Taruffi bettered his medium-distance record, going over 205 km/h on the hour victory.