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Moto Guzzi's History

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.

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.

500 Bicilindrica

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Airone 250 Turismo

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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.

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.

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.

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.