Founded in 1958 by two former employees of the department ran Mondial, Joseph
Patton (1926-1999) and Lino Tonti the Paton (the name derives from the "fusion"
of the names of the two founders Pa'ttoni' Tonti) began transforming the
business from Single a DOHC some Mondial 125 acquired by Patton following the
closure at the end of the season 1957, the department runs Mondial. With one of
these bikes will begin their careers a couple Mike Hailwood, finishing 7th in
the Tourist Trophy and earning the victory on the Silverstone Circuit, in 1958.
Shortly after his debut is a 250-cylinder derived from a bialbero draft Tonti,
motorcycles that have little luck in the races. The association between Patton
and Tonti lasts until 1960, when Tonti switch to Bianchi carrying with them the
draft of a new 250, leaving a track Patton to be developed.
The Paton 500 twin-cylinder in the classic green
The first prototype of the new quarter-liter will debut only in 1964 by
Gianpiero Zubani in a race of the Italian, a Modena. Subsequently, the Paton
debuts in Motomondiale, seizing the Tourist Trophy a promising third place with
Alberto Pagani at the end of the season eleventh in the ranking of the Class
250. In 1965 comes a new version of the twin-cylinder, plus a 350 cc, while the
following year is the 500cc. This will be the bike that will give more
satisfaction to Patton: In 1967 Englishman Fred Stevens is sixth in the world,
while Angelo Bergamonti wins the Italian Championship beating, for once, Giacomo
Agostini and MV Agusta. Another season on in 1969, when Bill Nelson is
fourth in the world (17th Bergamonti, 22nd Trabalzini and 34th Bertarelli other
classified with the Milan half a liter), while Franco Trabalzini is second in
the Italian Championship. The Paton proved as the most viable alternative for
the unofficial drivers (in practice all, Agostini less) along with Lint
(designed by Lino Tonti after the closure of the Bianchi).
In the '70s the Paton begins a downward parable: last flash of glory for four
times in Milan is in third place of TORACCA Armando nell'italiano 1974. The
coming season is the last for the "500" twin-cylinder: a pilot a couple Virginio
Ferrari. By 1976 Paton has a new bike, an engine with four-cylinder V-two format. The results are, however little, and
Paton decide to quit the race. The
break lasts until 1983, when presented with the "RC", designed by Joseph Patton
and his son Roberto. This will follow in 1986, the "V 115 C2, which will rise to
European title 1988 by Vittorio Box.
In 1994 is the turn of a new 4-cylinder version of Milan, the "C10/1".
At the end of next season, however, Paton is denied by 'IRTA the right to participate in the
1997 World Championship. The motion: "not very competitive." Paton persevered, and
continued to develop their motorbike. Despite the death of Joseph Paton in 1999,
the adventure continues: In 2000 the Paton can participate in five World races as
a "wild card", and Paolo Tessari, earned a point, thanks to 15th place
at the Grand Prix of Germany. In 2001 the IRTA denies new subscription to
Motomondiale, thanks to the help of a sponsor unable to take part in eight
races, with the promising novice saddle Slovak Vladimir Castka . In 2002 the end
of adventure, with the exclusion from competitions.
The work of Paton, however, was not an end: Roberto Patton, from 2004, started the
production on a small-scale replica of the "500" twin-cylinder version in 1968,
with which he returned to run the Manx Grand Prix, taking second place in the
2006 and the victory in the 2007 with Ryan Farquhar.