Post-Listing Update: This Benelli was pulled from eBay, final sale price unknown.
Between ’59 and ’69, Montgomery Ward sold Benelli motorcycles under the ‘Wards Riverside’ name. If you bought one, you’d get the bike delivered in a crate, and then have to assemble it yourself. Here’s an example of the 250cc model with some of the nicest original paint I’ve ever seen.
This example is claimed to be 99% original (even down to the Pirelli tires, which somehow are still soft with no dry rot). It has 1,425 miles and the paint is absolutely gorgeous. There’s some “patina” with nicks and scratches but they’re claimed to be light. The seller notes battery acid spots on the battery tray, and that the only non original parts are the EMGO M-Bars and levers. Everything works except for the fuse on the headlight connection (why wouldn’t you replace this dirt cheap part if you were a seller?) and there’s some NOS parts with this bike. The last issue is the front rim, which apparently has two dents. The seller says you don’t notice it until you go over 60 miles per hour, but this is really the only severe issue that needs to get taken care of. The seller says he/she has had owned many of these bikes, and this is the nicest example of the breed that he/she has had the chance to enjoy. I know that means nothing unless you know the seller personally, but find this Benelli 250 for sale in Troy, Michigan with bidding up to $610 and the reserve not yet met