From the first post-war period to the Covid-19 pandemic, a hundred years through wars of all kinds
One hundred years of outstanding motorbikes, victories, adventures and celebrities that defined the myth of the Brand of the Eagle.
A century of motorcycling history constantly at the cutting edge, with the ability to innovate while keeping faith with values and traditions
1921-1945
The birth of a legend
The date is 5 March 1921. The setting is the office of notary Paolo Cassanello, on Corso Aurelio Saffi in Genova. It is the moment “Moto Guzzi SA”, is officially founded, a public company with the intent described as “The manufacture and sales of motorcycles and other pertinent activities associated with the engineering industry”.
The partners are Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, a high-profile ship owner, his son Giorgio, and Giorgio’s friend and ex-fellow pilot in the Italian Airforce, Carlo Guzzi. Giorgio and Carlo had been great friends with Giovanni Ravelli, also a pilot, who had died on 11 August 1919, and it is in his memory that the winged eagle is incorporated into the Moto Guzzi logo.
1889: Carlo Guzzi is born
15 March 1921: Moto Guzzi and the factory are established.
1921: The newly-founded company adopts an eagle as its logo.
1921: The first motorbike produced is the GP 500.
1925: Over 300 staff build 1200 motorbikes at the Mandello site.
1928: Giuseppe Guzzi (Carlo's brother) embarks upon what will become an iconic itinerary to North Cape.
1929: Production hits the 2500 units mark.
1934: Moto Guzzi is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Italy.
1939: The Airone 250 is launched, going on to be a huge success with 29,926 units being built.
1939-1945: Almost all production is given over to military manufacturing, resulting in the Alce, Trialce and Airone being built for the Italian Army.
CARLO GUZZI
Born in 1889, Carlo Guzzi (nicknamed Taj) moves from Milan to Mandello Del Lario as a young man and within a short time is learning the ropes as an apprentice in Giorgio Ripamonti’s vehicle workshop. This proves to be the spark that lights his passion for engines, particularly motorbikes. Just before the outbreak of the First World War, he manages to land a place in the test driving department of the renowned luxury brand Isotta Fraschini. He enlists in the Royal Marines as an engineer and becomes friends with pilots Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgio Parodi. Like Carlo, they are enormous motorcycle enthusiasts and the three of them often talk about how they will build a new bike together once the war was over.
In 2011, the Mandello town council and the “Amici Guzzisti” association (Friends of Guzzi) dedicated a monument to Carlo Guzzi in Piazza Leonarda da Vinci, created by sculptor and biker Ettore Gambioli and architect Paolo Gambelli.
TREK TO NORTH CAPE (1928)
One of motorcycling history’s most famous adventures was that undertaken by Carlo Guzzi’s older brother Giuseppe. It was the summer of 1928 when Naco, as he was more commonly called, embarked upon an incredible road trip that would prove to become an iconic pilgrim itinerary for thousands of keen bikers every year to the Artic Circle. A veritable pioneer, he hit the road to Cape Nord in the saddle of a trusty Moto Guzzi Norge, unknowingly creating an itinerary that now represents a Holy Grail among motorcyclists.
2VT 500
500 Bicilindrica
Airone 250 Turismo
C 2V 500
1946-1967
The great victories
These are golden years for Moto Guzzi as many of their historic models notch up win after win at the various competitions they are entered in. The so-called “season of great victories” begins with the Gambalunga 500, the first truly new competition motorcycle after the war and designed for mixed circuits. Then comes the lightweight Motoleggera (otherwise known as the Guzzino or Little Guzzi), the Gambalunghino which takes the top title in the 250 class in its debut year, and the famous Mandello Twin, a triumph not only in terms of its racing success but also of design.
But it was with the 8-cylinder with its maximum speed of 275km/h that Moto Guzzi enters the racing motorcycle hall of fame. It spawns one of the most efficient and profitable Moto Guzzi bikes of all time with the 350 GP, which goes on to win the world title every year until 1957, when it retires from speed racing. During this time, Moto Guzzi compiles an extraordinary list of achievements with 3329 wins in official races, 14 world titles and 11 Tourist Trophy successes.
1946: The company goes public and becomes Moto Guzzi S.p.A. Production begins on its first twin-stroke small engine motorbike, the Motoleggera 65 which is nicknamed Guzzini, meaning Little Guzzi. Over the next three years, 50,000 units of this lightweight model where sold and in the Fifties it is marketed under the name Cardellino, with an increased capacity of up to 73 cc.
1950: The Falcone 500, the last Moto Guzzi with a horizontal single cylinder engine, is launched.
1950: The Galletto enters the market, the first ever high-wheel scooter.
1954: A wind tunnel is established at Mandello.
1958: Moto Guzzi produces the first engine in the world with a chromed cylinder barrel. This innovation is integrated into the Zigolo.
1964: Carlo Guzzi passes away.
1965: Giulio Cesare Carcano designs the longitudinal 90° V-twin that will become a defining Moto Guzzi characteristic.
WIND GALLERY (1950)
From the moment of its inception, the Guzzi factory focused on innovation. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Carlo Guzzi commissioned the construction of two electric energy plants, a radio link connecting the headquarters with branches in Milan and Genoa, a fuel station inside the factory grounds and, most significantly, a wind tunnel. Carlo had his heart set on the latter, and it turned out to be a stroke of genius. His brother Giuseppe, also known as Naco, designed what would be the first wind tunnel built in Europe and the first in the world for a motorbike manufacturer. While it is no longer in use, it represented a bold and avantgarde decision in those times. The Mandello wind tunnel was comprehensively used for testing aerodynamics, not only of motorbikes, but of all manner of elements, including the clothing worn by the Italian bobsleigh team when they took Olympic gold.
RACING SUCCESS
In the century since it was founded, Moto Guzzi bikes have taken riders to glory on the world's major tracks, including 14 World Titles under the Italian flag.
1967-2004
The V engine
The 90° V engine has become an icon over the years, not only in Moto Guzzi annals but also in the motorcycle world to the extent it even featured in a lifestyle clothing collection designed by the House of Mandello to “export” a piece of the Moto Guzzi world to that of casual fashion, a rather unlikely setting for an engine!
The brainchild of the talented engineer Giulio Vesare Carcano in 1965, this twin-cylinder 90° transverse V air-cooled engine enters into production in 1966 and hits the market in 1967. Since then, it has been mounted on numerous models, continuing to evolve over the years right up to the current V7 range, one of the Mandello Eagle’s best-selling and complete families.
It’s fair to say that the Moto Guzzi V engine is a true classic, effortlessly combining cutting-edge technology and engineering with distinctive style. So stylish, in fact, that it adorns Motor Guzzi Lifestyle clothing and accessories, a daily reminder of Made in Italy brilliance and know-how.
1967: SEIMM (Società Esercizio Industrie Moto Meccaniche) takes over the management of Moto Guzzi. The V7 703 cc with 90° twin-V is produced.
1971: The V7 Sport, a sports bike destined to enter history, is launched.
1971: Special, California and Ambassador versions are developed for the US market.
1973: De Tomaso Industries Inc., owners of Benelli, acquire the company and Alejandro De Tomaso takes over as Managing Director.
1973: After the success racked up in competitions by the V7 Sport, the 750 S is introduced, followed by the 750 S3, complete with three disc brakes.
1974: The 850 version of the Moto Guzzi California is developed.
1976: The Le Mans, the bike that will become the most popular and successful of these years, is launched. Four versions, known as I, II, III and 1000, will be produced.
1977: The Moto Guzzi Museum is created.
1987: The California III makes its debut.
1988: A new company called Guzzi-Benelli Moto (G.B.M. S.p.A.) is formed.
1992: The Daytona 1000 IE makes its debut.
1996: The company name changes back to the original title of Moto Guzzi S.p.A. Finprogetti purchases a significant share of the business, later going on to take control of De Tomaso Industries Inc, at which point it becomes TRG - Trident Rowan Group Inc.
1996: The V10 Centauro, designed by Marabese Design, is unveiled.
1999: A press conference is held on the Moto Guzzi premises to present a new 1000-cc liquid-cooled engine named the VA10. It features the classic V architecture, but configured at 75°, and can deliver over 140 horsepower.
2000: Aprilia acquires Moto Guzzi and implements an overhaul of the business. The first resulting product is a special version of the V11, called the V11 Sport Rosso Mandello.
2001: Electronic injection is introduced to Guzzi engines.
2004-2022
Towards the future
In 2004 Moto Guzzi becomes part of the Piaggio Group and new vehicle production is stepped up. In 2005 the Breva and the Griso 1100 make their debut, followed a year later by the 1200 Sport. It is also the year Moto Guzzi returns to the Grand Touring market. In 2007 the House of Mandello, with momentum gathering, presents the Griso 8V, Bellagio and Stelvio, as well as celebrating the Eagle brand with Giornate Mondiali Moto Guzzi (GMG) or International Moto Guzzi Days, an event that will go on to become an unmissable annual appointment for Guzzi enthusiasts the world over.
A succession of new models arrive on the scene, from the V7 Classic and V7 Café to various iterations of the V12, an entire range built around the new V 1200-cc twin cylinder with 8V, the V7 Racer, right through to 2011 when a special California model is introduced to mark the 90-year anniversary of Moto Guzzi. There are many other vehicles we could name, but what is important is that in this extremely dynamic period Moto Guzzi shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, it is committed to accelerating its trajectory, racing towards a future that it will continue to help shape rather than resting on its laurels. Rest assured that despite reaching the grand milestone of 100 years in 2021, the Eagle will continue to soar.
2004: Moto Guzzi becomes part of the Piaggio Group, European leader in two-wheel motor vehicles and one of the major global manufacturers.
2005: The Breva 1100 makes its debut, signalling a new Italian offering with the Naked.
2005: The Griso 1100 is launched.
2006: The 1200 Sport (a stylish Naked) and Norge 1200 make their debut, marking the return of Moto Guzzi to Grand Touring.
2007: The Mandello company demonstrates its commitment to providing new offerings with the new Moto Guzzi Griso 8V, Bellagio and Stelvio.
2007: Giornate Mondiali Moto Guzzi (GMG or World Moto Guzzi Days) counts among its attendees actor Ewan Mc Gregor, who is visiting Mandello del Lario to collect his California.
2009: New additions include the V7 Classic and V7 Cafè. At Milan’s EICMA event, Moto Guzzi steals the spotlight as it presents a trio of futuristic prototypes designed by Miguel Galluzzi and Pierre Terblanche. Respectively the V12LM, V12 Strada and V12 X, they are recognised with the Motorcycle Design Association Award for the best motorcyle design of the year.
2010: The Stelvio 1200 8V, Stelvio NTX and Norge GT 8V are launched. All three are built around the new V 1200-cc twin-cylinder with eight valves. This year also sees the debut of the V7 Racer, a particularly special series model.
2011: A monument to Carlo Guzzi is unveiled in the town of Mandello del Lario.
2011: Moto Guzzi turns 90 and celebrates with a special edition of the California.
2011: The new premium range of the Stelvio and Norge 8V is launched.
2012: The new V7 range, with its revisited high-efficiency engine is launched and in just a few months becomes the company’s most sold bike.
2012: The California 1400 Touring makes its European debut.
2013: The California 1400 Custom makes its European debut.
2014: The Clan is founded.
2014: The Eldorado and Audace are launched, while a prototype of the futuristic MGX-21 is unveiled at EICMA.
2014: The Moto Guzzi V7 II - second generation of the beloved Guzzi of all time – makes its debut in the Stone, Special and Racer versions.
2016: The Stornello, an offroad (scrambler) version of the V7 II, is launched.
2016: The MGX-21 Flying Fortress launches, a unique limited edition version of the bagger presented two years earlier.
2017: The Moto Guzzi Experience is created.
2020: In the lead-up to the Mandello Eagle’s centenary, a project to restore some of the historic vehicles in the Moto Guzzi Museum takes shape.
2021: Moto Guzzi celebrates 100 years.
MOTO GUZZI THE CLAN (2014)
This is the year in which The Clan is founded. The international community made up of Moto Guzzi fans and owners quickly becomes a close-knit group of riders, ignited and united by a passion for the Eagle. This is where kindred spirits connect, often becoming travel companions on adventures upon their legendary sets of two wheels. The exclusive club offers members access to the latest Moto Guzzi news, fascinating previews, sneak peeks and looks behind the scenes. On top of this, there are invitations to rallies and special events, along with content designed to make every experience in the saddle of a Moto Guzzi even more memorable.