Rare and Beautiful Italian Scooters That Time Forgot (Part 2)

Chrome Echoes - As mentioned in the first part of this article, we now continue exploring a range of rare Italian scooter brands—beyond Vespa and Lambretta—that once added flair and variety to the global scooter scene.

In 1950s Rome, two couples cruise together on scooters through the city’s streets. (Picture from: AKG-Images)

Many of these scooters, in their heyday, were built with above-average quality, resulting in higher prices than the more established Vespa and Lambretta. Sadly, they are now rarely seen on the roads. Dio Santo, non lasciarli estinguere! (Dear God, don't let them go extinct!)

Here are more Italian scooter brands that contributed to the global scooter scene in the 1950s:

6. Moto Parilla

Parilla's Levrier debuted in 1952 with a 125cc two-stroke engine, upgraded to a 150cc with a 4-speed gearbox by 1953. In the U.S., it was marketed as the Greyhound by Cosmo in late 1957. Featuring Borrani rims and telescopic forks, the Greyhound was widely produced and sold globally until it was replaced by the Slughi in 1958. Cosmo continued selling remaining stock until around 1960.

1957 Parilla Greyhound. (Picture from: MotoParilla)

Only two standard colors were offered—brick red and light green—with a few rare variations. Prices in the U.S. were $359 in 1958 and $407 in 1960.

1957 Parilla Greyhound. (Picture from: MotoParilla)

Finding a Greyhound today is difficult, as most have rusted away or been heavily used. While some well-preserved examples occasionally surface, fewer than a dozen are believed to remain in the U.S. Spare parts are scarce and often must be sourced from Europe.

1957 Parilla Oscar scooter prototype. (Picture from: MotoParilla)

Parilla’s next prototype, the Oscar, featured a 160cc two-stroke twin and a 4-speed transmission, but sadly, it never made it to production.😢

7. Palmieri & Guilinelli

The Guizzo scooters were manufactured in Bologna between 1958 and 1962. The company initially produced a 48cc moped and a 150cc scooter—both considered highly innovative for their time. The scooter was refined in 1959, and the moped received updates in 1960.

1960 Guizzo 150 scooter. (Picture from: OtomotifLangka)

Production continued until early 1962, with a completely new model introduced that year. Unfortunately, the changes weren’t enough to sustain the company, which ceased all production the same year.😢

8. Laverda

Founded in 1873 by Pietro Laverda in Breganze (Vicenza), Laverda originally made agricultural machinery. After WWII, his grandson Francesco Laverda established Moto Laverda S.A.S in 1949 with help from Luciano Zen.

1959 Laverda 49 cc mini-scooter. (Picture from: Sepeda-Motor.Info)

What began as a modest venture produced one of the company's most successful motorcycles—a 75cc four-stroke with fully enclosed drivetrain.

1963 Laverda 60 cc mini-scooter. (Picture from: Autobelle.it)

In response to a 1959 Italian regulation limiting motorcycles to 40 kph, Laverda developed a 49cc mini scooter—an innovative four-stroke that could be ridden without a license. Laverda thus became the first Italian company to produce mini scooters for unlicensed riders.

9. Agrati-Garelli

The Capri scooter debuted at the 1959 Milan Fair under Agrati, but was rebranded Garelli Capri after Garelli acquired the company in 1960. Initially available only domestically, Garelli expanded the line with 125cc, 98cc, and 50cc versions.

1960 Garelli Capri 80. (Picture from: Pinterest)

The 50cc was especially popular in Germany. By 1962, the 125cc model was redesigned and renamed—the Super in the UK and De Luxe in the U.S. A 150cc model called the Monaco followed shortly after.

1960 Garelli Rex Monaco 150. (Picture from: Lambretista.net)

Scooter production continued until 1973.😢

10. Malaguti

Founded in 1930 by Antonino Malaguti in San Lazzaro di Savena, the company initially focused on bicycles. It wasn’t until the early 1960s that Malaguti launched its first scooter—the Malaguti 50—from Bologna.

1960 Malaguti 50 or Saigon 50 scooter. (Picture from: Lambretista.net)

With a style resembling the Lambretta J50, the Malaguti 50 was surprisingly successful—70% of units were sold in Vietnam, earning it the nickname Saigon 50. Unfortunately, Malaguti ceased all scooter production in 1968.😢

11. ISO Motor

Originally founded in 1939 as Isothermos, a refrigeration company, ISO was relocated to Bresso by Renzo Rivolta in 1942. The firm rebranded as Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. in 1953 and began producing motor vehicles. Their first scooter, the Iso 125 Bicilíndrica, was introduced in 1949.

1952 Iso 125 Bicilíndrica. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Notably, ISO collaborated with Maserati in 1957 to prototype two scooters—the Maserati M1, and M2—intended for the South American market. The project was eventually shelved.

Though not as commercially dominant as Vespa or Lambretta, ISO held its own in terms of style. 

1961 Iso Diva 150. (Picture from: IsoMoto.it)

In 1973, the Rivolta family sold the company to Italo-American financier Ivo Pera, who renamed it Iso Motors—but the company quickly faded from the scene.😢

12. Motobi

In 1949, following a family split, Giuseppe Benelli—one of the famed Benelli brothers—founded Moto B Pesaro, later shortened to Motobi.

1959 Motobi Catria 175. (Picture from: ScooterLounge)

Initially focusing on small two-stroke motorcycles, Motobi entered the scooter market in 1959 with the Motobi Catria 175, a stylish response to the booming Vespa and Lambretta trend.

1961 Motobi Picnic 75. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

Despite promising designs, Motobi’s scooter line was short-lived. In 1962, the company ceased production and was reabsorbed by Benelli.😢

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA [08112019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GOOGLE BOOK | MOTOBI | ISO MOTOR  | MALAGUTI | AGRATI-GARELLI | GUIZZO | MOTOPARILLA | REVOLVY]

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