If we talk about the scooter from the beginning to this day certainly it never ended. Due to this two-wheeled vehicle that started from a very simple form (two wheels and a plank) which then developed in such a way that it was incarnated in various forms as it is today (but still maintained its distinctive shape) and has become one of the modes of transportation that have many users throughout the world to this day.
The Rieju Isard scooters are assumed unsuccessful in the market so that its production was stopped in 1960. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2UGTLEE)
In the heyday of scooters back in the 1950s to 1960s, it was countless how many manufacturers tried their luck to be a success and reaping fortune by producing scooters. Apparently, it seems like they were all inspired by the success stories of the Italian manufacturer duo, Piaggio, and Innocenti who succeeded in bringing the scooters to the whole world. So it can't be denied if the Italian scooter success stories also spread quickly to Spain.
The Rieju Isard scooter looks so tempting with an appearance almost 'full cover body,' and high-wheels posture. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3d1fiy5)
Noted a number of Spanish manufacturing companies also had produced scooters. One of them is Rieju, the mopeds and motorcycles manufacturers that has a production base in Figueres, Spain. This Spaniard motorcycle manufacturer was founded by two young businessmen, Luis Riera Carré and Jaime Juanola Farres in 1934. They began their entrepreneurial adventure by manufacturing bicycle accessories. They fused their names together to create the RIEJU brand name (RIEra+JUanola).
The Rieju Isard scooter uses 50 and 125cc AMC air-cooled engines. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2B7pGHm)
They began to purchase property to construct a factory, but the Spanish Civil War interrupted their plans. After the hard times were over, the Figueres-based returned to its original habitat by making many motorcycle models. Until one day they heard of the success story of the Italian scooter maker duo. So then they decided to try their luck at gaining a big-profit by making a scooter.
The Rieju Isard scooter shape looks like a motorcycle-scooter fusion. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2B7pGHm)
However, this Figueres-based manufacturer did not adopt the reference for its scooter products from Italy but prefer to France. At that time the average French-made scooters had a slightly different shape from the Italian scooters. Where the French scooters use the high wheel posture as it is commonly used by motorbikes in general so that its shape looks like a motorcycle-scooter fusion.
In 1956, Rieju worked on the development of a scooter, by using 50 and 125cc AMC engines. The design was based on the French Sulky high-wheel scooter. In 1958, Rieju introduced its commercial version of the scooter project under the name Rieju Isard, a motorcycle-scooter fusion with a very unique look.
1957 Rieju Isard 125cc (right) posed along with 1955 Derbi Masculino 125cc (left). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Y47w2i)
The introduction of a bold and daring look, combined with the ambition to introduce a perfect finished project to the market. In fact, this model nearly drove the company to fail, since it was never successful in the commercial market, and the company made the decision to cease the scooter production in 1960 with very few units sold. Apparently, the low mechanical accessibility and its high price were the main reasons for its low market demands.
It is believed that this scooter population is very small, making it one of the rare scooters that are sought after by collectors. Although there is no longer Rieju Isard scooter on its production list, this Spanish brand continues to produce motorbikes to this day, especially the sportbikes, and also develops electric-powered motorcycles.
And if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this marque, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.
