A superb and rare photo of the Moto Guzzi V65
Florida.
Moto Guzzi, also known as Guzzi, is the oldest
European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production. Established in 1921
in Mandello del Lario, Italy,
Moto Guzzi has led Italy's
motorcycling manufacture, enjoyed prominence in worldwide motorcycle racing,
and led the industry in ground-breaking innovation – for the greater part of
its history. The company's history has been shaped by the importance of racing,
engineering innovation and a constant adaptation to the changes in the
motorcycle industry since its inception 1921. Moto Guzzi was conceived by two
aircraft pilots and their mechanic serving in the Corpo Aeronautico Militare
(the Italian Air Corp, CAM)
during World War I: Carlo Guzzi, Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgi Parodi. By
happenstance assigned to the same Miraglia Squadron based outside Venice,
the three became close, despite starkly different socio-economic backgrounds.
The trio envisioned creating a motorcycle company after the war. Guzzi would
engineer the motor bikes, Parodi (scion of wealthy Genovese ship-owners) would
finance the venture, and Ravelli (already a famous pilot and motocycle racer)
would promote the bikes with his racing prowess. Guzzi and Parodi (along with
Parodi's brother) formed Moto Guzzi in 1921. Ravelli, ironically, had died just
days after the war's end in an aircraft crash and is commemorated by the
eagle's wings that form the Moto Guzzi logo. Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi,
along with Giorgio's brother Angelo, created a privately held silent
partnership "Società Anonima Moto Guzzi" on 15
March 1921, for the purpose of (according to the original articles
of incorporation) "the manufacture and the sale of motor cycles and any
other activity in relation to or connected to metallurgical and mechanical
industry". The formation of the company hinged on an initial loan of two
thousand Lira from the Parodis' father, Emanuele Vittorio, which he gave on 3
January 1919, offering the balance of the loan upon his review of the project's
progress: Dear Giorgio, you can let both your partners know that I will offer
you for your first 1,500 or 2,000 Lire. Although with the condition that the
sum, under no circumstances, shall be increased. Likewise, I reserve the right
to supervise your progress before giving my agreement to this project. The
company was legally based in Genoa, Italy,
with its headquarters in Mandello. The very earliest motorcycle bore the name
G.P. (Guzzi-Parodi), though when it started the marque had changed its name to
Moto Guzzi. As the only actual shareholders, the Parodi's wanted to shield
their shipping fortunes by avoiding confusion of name G.P. with Giorgio
Parodi's initials. Carlo Guzzi initially received royalties for each motorcycle
produced, holding no ownership in the company that bore his name. In 1946 Moto
Guzzi formally incorporated as Moto Guzzi S.p.A. with Giorgio Parodi as
chairman. Carlo Guzzi's first engine design was a horizontal single that
dominated the first 45 years of the company's history in various
configurations. Through 1934, each engine bore the signature of the mechanic
who built it. As originally envisioned, the company used racing to promote the
brand. In the 1935 Isle of Man TT, Moto Guzzi factory rider Stanley Woods
performed an impressive double victory with wins in the Lightweight TT as well
as the Senior TT. Until the mid 1940s, the traditional horizontal four-stroke
single cylinder 500 cc engines outfitted with one overhead and one side
valve (also known as: IOE, inlet over exhaust or F-head) were the highest
performance engines Moto Guzzi sold to the general public. By contrast, the
company supplied the official racing team and private racers with higher
performance racing machines with varying overhead cam, multi-valve configurations
and cylinder designs. In the 1950s, Moto Guzzi, along with the Italian
factories of Gilera and Mondial, led the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
With durable and lightweight 250 cc and 350 cc bikes designed by
Giulio Carcano, the firm dominated the middleweight classes. The factory won
five consecutive 350 cc world championships between 1953 and 1957.
In realizing that low weight alone might not
continue to win races for the company, Carcano designed the V8 500 cc GP
race bike—whose engine was to become one of the most complex engines of its
time. Despite the bike's having led many races and frequently posted the
fastest lap time, it often failed to complete races because of mechanical
problems. Ultimately, the V8 was not developed further as Moto Guzzi withdrew
(together with the main competitors Gilera and Mondial) from racing after the
1957 season citing escalating costs and diminishing motorcycle sales. By the
time of its pull out from Grand Prix racing, Moto Guzzi had won 3,329 official
races, 8 World Championships, 6 Constructor's Championships and 11 Isle of Man
TT victories. The period after World War II was as difficult in Mandello del
Lario as it was elsewhere in post-war Europe. The
solution was production of inexpensive, lighter cycles. The 1946
"Motoleggera", a 65 cc lightweight motorcycle became very
popular in post-war Italy.
A four-stroke 175 cc scooter known as the "Galletto" also sold
well. Though modest cycles for the company, the lighter cycles continue to
feature Guzzi's innovation and commitment to quality. The step-through Galletto
initially featured a manual, foot-shifted three-speed (160 cc)
configuration then later a four-speed (175 cc) set-up by the end of 1952.
The displacement was increased to 192 cc in 1954 and electric start was
added in 1961. Moto Guzzi was limited in its endeavors to penetrate the
important scooter market as motorcycle popularity waned after WWII. Italian
scooter competitors would not tolerate an incursion from Moto Guzzi. By
innovating the first large-wheeled scooter, Guzzi competed less directly with
manufacturers of small-wheeled scooters such as Piaggio (Vespa) and Lambretta.
To illustrate the delicate balance within the Italian post-war motorcycle and
scooter markets, when Guzzi developed their own prototype for a small-wheeled
scooter, Lambretta retaliated with a prototype for a small V-twin motorcycle
threatening to directly compete on Moto Guzzi's turf. The two companies
compromised: Guzzi never produced their small-wheeled scooter and Lambretta
never manufactured the motorcycle. Notably, the drive train that Lambretta made
in their 1953 motorcycle prototype remarkably resembles the V-twin + drive
shaft arrangement that Guzzi developed more than ten years later, ultimately to
become iconic of the company. By 1964, the company was in full financial
crisis. Emanuele Parodi and his son Giorgio had died, Carlo Guzzi had retired
to private life, and direction passed to Enrico Parodi, Giorgio's brother.
Carlo Guzzi died on 3 November
1964, in Mandello, after a brief hospital stay in Davos. In February
1967, SEIMM (Società Esercizio Industrie Moto Meccaniche), a state controlled
receiver, took ownership of Moto Guzzi. The SEIMM oversight saw Moto Guzzi
adapting to a cultural shift away from motorcycles to automobiles. The company
focused on popular lightweight mopeds including the Dingo and Trotter — and the
125 cc Stornello motorcycle. Also during the SEIMM years Guzzi developed
the 90° V twin engine, designed by Giulio Cesare Carcano, which would become iconic
of Moto Guzzi. Though Moto Guzzi has employed engines of myriad configurations,
none has come to symbolize the company more than the air-cooled 90° V-twin with
a longitudinal crankshaft orientation and the engine's transverse cylinder
heads projecting prominently on either side of the bike. The original V-twin
was designed in the early 1960s by engineer Giulio Cesare Carcano, designer of
the DOHC V8 Grand Prix racer. The air-cooled, longitudinal crankshaft,
transverse cylinder, pushrod V-twin began life with 700 cc displacement
and 45 hp (34 kW) – designed to win a competition sponsored by the
Italian government for a new police bike. The sturdy shaft-drive, air-cooled
V-twin won, giving Moto Guzzi renewed competitiveness. This 1967 Moto Guzzi V7
with the original Carcano engine has been continuously developed into the
1200 cc, 80 hp (60 kW) versions offered today (2006). Lino Tonti
redesigned the motor for the 1971 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. This engine is the basis
of the currently used 750 cc, 1100 cc and 1200 cc Guzzi engines.
Notably, the longitudinal crankshaft and orientation of the engine creates a
slight gyroscope effect, with a slightly asymmetrical behavior in turns. After
experiencing financial difficulties in the late 1960s, De Tomaso Industries Inc.
(D.T.I. Group or DTI), manufacturer of the De Tomaso sports and luxury cars,
owned by Argentinian industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso, purchased SEIMM (and
thereby Moto Guzzi) along with Benelli and Maserati in 1973.
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that
reflects a wonderful and very historic era of Moto Guzzi ‘s history in a
wonderful way, therefore it is printed in a nice large format
of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26
cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.