Tag Archives: other marques

Cockerel found in barn…

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Moto_Guzzi_Galletto_0The Moto Guzzi Galletto (or ‘cockerel’) was their attempt to muscle in on the burgeoning scooter market of the 1950’s, with a ‘large wheel scooter’. This one was imported in the 70s by its last owner and dry stored ever since. Thought to be a 1952, although there’s no paperwork with the bike so sold as a true ‘barn find’. The Moto Guzzi owners club might be able to help with that side of things. Very original, cloth wiring all in good shape, plenty of compression. Its been oiled and kept mechanically ‘free’ since its been stored, although I’ve not fired it up. A great project for someone who loves Italian classics!

In an interesting side note, the boys at Guzzi also came up with a prototype for a small wheel scooter. This was seen by Lambretta as one competitor too many. A marque as iconic as Moto Guzzi was a serious threat. In retaliation, Lambretta produced a prototype 250cc V-twin motorcycle (which I featured back in January 2016) – which threatened to compete directly with Moto Guzzi on their turf. A compromise was swiftly reached, and neither prototype (Guzzi’s scooter, or Lambretta’s motorcycle) was put into production. Funnily enough, although Moto Guzzi’s are still in production, the company is now owned by Piaggio, who, of course, also own the Vespa brand.

Anyway. back to this “Cockerel” It’s on sale, on eBay here
There’s a “buy it now’ price of £3,250.

This post was updated 13/7/17 to link to the Lambretta 250cc Racing Motorcycle prototype, which I’d forgotten I’d blogged about previously 🙂 Link.

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Classic Italian Collection (and more) up for auction…

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Got the heads up on the next Brightwells Classic and Vintage Auction at Leominster on the 8th March. As well as a clutch of other interesting cars and bikes there is a collection of Italian Classics from Andy Heyward… see the video above for an overview. The vehicles I’ve included below are a just a couple that caught my eye, get the full details on the Brightwells site… here’s a link to the online catalogue.

There’s a Lambretta J125 that’ll need a little love and attention… (there’s a couple of other “J’s” too)tn_lambretta_j125

A rare Mercury Hermes scooter, built in the Black Country…img_0756

A Lambro…tn_lambro_3

One I haven’t seen before, a Gitan Joligri from around 1970tn_p1050216_1tn_p1050217_1

A ‘Vespa-ish’ Gilera G50 from 1967

Another Rarity… the rather ‘awkward looking’ Ducati’s Brio. How could a company that makes such beautiful motorcycles produce something so fugly?tn_p1060510_1tn_p1060517_1tn_p1060519_1

The equally awkward Casalini Sulky microcar… (Read the catalogue write-up for this one, it’s hilarious!).
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The rather prettier little 50cc BM Pokerino… never mind a scooter I’d never even heard of – an Italian marque (Bonvicin Marini) I’d never even heard of! It appears to be sans side panels, which is a shame as I don’t think they’d be the easiest thing to source – but a nice, sporty looking little scoot. That ‘straight flush’ legshield badge is a cracker.tn_p1050080tn_p1050084_1tn_p1050093

Next up an Italian marque you will have heard of… Benelli… one of a brace of Benelli’s in the auction… and the only motorcycle I’m featuring here (although there are plenty in the auction). A popular bike in Italy (and amongst Italian Motorcycle Fans). This Benelli Leoncino (Leoncino translates to Lion Cub in Italian) correctly  features the cast ali Lion mascot on the front mudguard…

There’s a bunch of classic four-wheelers too… including a bunch of Italian classics, some lovely FIAT’s, Lancia’s and Ferraris, my favourite is this cracking little chocolate-brown Autobianchi Bianchina Speciale. It’s got an estimate of £2,500 – £3,000, which seems an absolute bargain to me!

And finally for now, we’ll end on another scooter… the rather elegant looking Aer Macchi Brezza – the clean, aerodynamic lines demonstrating the aircraft manufacturing roots behind this company. With only 2,000 Brezza’s made, it’s a pretty rare scoot.

That’s it for now. See the Brightwells site for full details and how to get involved in the auction.

 

Iso love this…

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luigis_isoLuigi from Italy sent me a picture of his scooter, this beautiful Iso – known officially in it’s native Italy  simply as the “F” – although maybe better known to British readers as the Iso Milano, (it’s South American name) or the Diva, as it was marketed under in Spain. Iso developed the F after an initial collaboration with, of all people Maserati… I wrote about the only known surviving scooter from this collaboration here. The lines of the F are classically italian, the scooter bears more than a passing resemblance to a Lambretta Series 1/2 and the Vespa VNB, depending on which angle you’re looking at it from 🙂im000636

Luigi knows a thing or two about classic scooters, having written the Iso pages on the (excellent) Scooter d’Epoca site.

What do you get if you cross a Lambretta with a Vespa?

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iso_milano_ebay_heroWell, it wouldn’t look a million miles from an Iso Milano would it? The front half looks very Vespa, while from the headset back it’s got distinctly Lambretta styling. Dating from 1957/58, it’s a remarkable ‘modern’ looking scooter for the day… Lambretta’s still had the headlight on the horncasing then. So, best of both worlds, or a bit of chimera? I suppose that’s a matter of taste.

If it’s to your taste, you can get hold of this one on eBay, here for not too much dosh; £1,250.00 ‘buy it now’ or make them an offer. Leave the Iso badges off, and you’ll have a few people scratching their heads… The bloke from the front saw you on a red Vespa, the bloke from the side swears blind you were riding a Lammie!
Here it is on eBay (Link updated as the scooter has been resisted).