These beautiful and scarce Italian scooters nearly extinct (Part-2)

As mentioned in the 1st part of this article, we'll be continuing the discussion about a series of Italian scooter brands apart from Vespa and Lambretta that ever enlivened the world's scooter market in the past.

Two couples ride on scooters in Rome in the 1950s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NggV10)

The existence of some of these Italian scooter brands in their heyday had above-average product quality so that the price also became more expensive than Vespa and Lambretta which could be called established brands at that time. Dio Santo, non lasciarli estinguere!

Here are several Italian scooter brands that have ever been enlivened the world's scooter market in the 1950s, as follows:

6. Moto Parilla

Parilla's 'Levriere' was introduced in 1952. It was built with a two-stroke 125cc and later upgraded to 150cc, 4 speed in 1953. Cosmo sold the scooter in the USA under the name of 'Greyhound' in late 1957. The Greyhound sported Borrani rims and telescopic forks. It was produced in large numbers and sold around the world before being replaced by the Slughi in 1958. Cosmo was still selling leftover Greyhounds for another two years.

1957 Parilla Greyhound. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NiHlzv)

Only two colors were offered for most of the scooters. One was brick red and the other a light green. Several other variations were used, but those are rare. Prices for the Greyhound were $359 in 1958 and $407 in 1960.

1957 Parilla Greyhound. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NiHlzv)

Finding a Greyhound will be difficult since most have rusted away or driven into the ground. Some nice examples have been popping up here and there, but it seems that there might be less than a dozen in the USA. There is no one place for parts for the Greyhound. One might have to look to Europe for missing parts.

1957 Parilla Oscar scooter prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NiHlzv)

Parilla's next scooter product was the Oscar, it uses a two-stroke 160cc twin combined with a four-speed transmission. The Oscar was built as a prototype and was never put into production.😢

7. Palmieri & Guilinelli

Guizzo scooters were built in Bologna by Palmieri & Guilinelli from around 1958 to 1962. They first build a 150 cc scooter and a 48 cc two-stroke moped, built-in 1955, and known as one of the most interesting in Italy at the time. Then the scooter had improved in 1959, and the moped was updated in the following year.

1960 Guizzo 150 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2C9PPlY)

The production of the 150 cc scooter with a four-speed gearbox and the body alteration continued into 1961. And early 1962 followed a completely new model but it was not able to save the company. In the same year, the company ceased its all-production. 😢

8. Laverda

Laverda is an Italian automotive company that was first founded by Pietro Laverda in 1873. At that time, Laverda decided to start an agricultural machinery manufacturing company in a small village in Breganze, Vicenza Province. The company development continued after World War II ended, by his grandson named Francesco Laverda who founded Moto Laverda S.A.S in October 1949. When he first designed a small motorbike Francesco was assisted by Luciano Zen.

1959 Laverda 49 cc mini-scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36z0ViA)

Although this was not a serious project at first, the product produced was one of the most successful motorcycle models in the history of this company. This simple motorcycle uses a 4-stroke engine, with a capacity of 75 cc with fully closed girders and chains.

1963 Laverda 60 cc mini-scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36J5UgG)

In 1959, Italian authorities implemented a new regulation requiring motorcycles not to exceed speeds of 40 kph. Seeing these opportunities, Laverda also decided to produce an innovative mini scooter with a 4-stroke type engine, with a capacity of 49cc. With this product, Laverda became the first Italian company to produce mini scooters that can be ridden without a driving license.

9. Agrati-Garelli

When first introduced at the Milan Fair in 1959, the Capri scooter was produced by Agrati. But then the manufacturer was acquired by Garelli in 1960, that's why the name of the scooter was changed to Garelli Capri.

1960 Garelli Capri 80. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2CaXjVJ)

A few months later, Garelli offered Capri in the 125 cc version with the same shell. For several years this scooter was not exported. After entering the export market to the United Kingdom, Germany, and America, then the company released 50 cc and 98 cc models.

1960 Garelli Rex Monaco 150. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33rHh6d)

The 50 cc moped model was not officially imported by Britain but was a huge success in Germany. In 1962 the 125 cc model was rejuvenated and renamed, in England its name became Super and in America became De Luxe. Soon the 150 cc model was introduced and in America and named Monaco. The scooter production of this manufacturer continued until 1973.😢

10. Malaguti

Malaguti is an Italian bicycle, scooter, and motorcycle company based in San Lazzaro di Savena, founded by Antonino Malaguti in 1930. The company producing bicycles until 1958.  In the early 60s, the company launched its first scooter in Bologna, which was named Malaguti 50.

1960 Malaguti 50 or Saigon 50 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Cf074e)

Physically the Malaguti 50 scooter was similar to the Lambretta J50 which was quite in demand in the market. Uniquely, 70% of the scooters were sold in Vietnam, so this Malaguti's 50 cc scooter has a nicknamed as Saigon 50. Unfortunately in 1968, Malaguti ceased all its scooter production.😢

11. ISO Motor

The Italian company was originally named 'Isothermos,' a manufacturer of refrigerators/refrigeration units before World War II. The company was founded in Genoa in 1939 but was moved to Bresso by Renzo Rivolta in 1942.

The company was vacuum before being re-founded and in 1953 and its name changed to Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. with a new business producing motorized transportation, including scooters. In 1966 Renzo Rivolta died, and his son, Piero, took over as managing director. The first scooter made by the company was started in 1949 and named Iso 125 Bicilíndrica.

1952 Iso 125 Bicilíndrica. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2JQGOm0)

Then it was noted that this company had collaborated with compatriot automotive manufacturer Maserati to make 2 scooter prototypes, Maserati M1, and M2 in 1957, as a pioneering effort of Maserati to expand its business as a scooter manufacturer in South America. Unfortunately, this effort did not go smoothly and eventually abandoned.

1961 Iso Diva 150. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2CfA10Y)

Iso continued making scooters, and while being less commercially successful than Innocenti and Piaggio, are one of the few manufacturers a run for their money in styling. At the start of 1973, the Rivolta family ceded the business to an Italian American financier named Ivo Pera who promised to bring American management know-how to the firm, and the business was again renamed to Iso Motors, just before fading rapidly into obscurity.😢

12. Motobi

Motobi was established in Pesaro, Italy in 1949, by Giuseppe Benelli, initially trading under the name Moto 'B' Pesaro. This was shortened to Motobi in the 1950s. After a family disagreement in 1948, Giuseppe Benelli, one of the six brothers and an engineer of some talent, decided to go his own way.

1959 Motobi Catria 175. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36zAMjt)

He stayed in Pesaro but moved to separate premises. Giuseppe launched the Moto 'B' marque selling small two-stroke motorcycles and scooters. Its scooter named Motobi Catria 175 was born in 1959, due to envy seeing Vespa and Lambretta scooters crowded on the streets and have good selling numbers in the market in the time.

1961 Motobi Picnic 75. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2PPivsn)

Has not had a long time competing in the scooter market, precisely in 1962 the company ceased all production and took over by Benelli. 😢 (Wanna see previous part?)

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 | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GOOGLE BOOK | MOTOBI | ISO MOTOR  | MALAGUTI | AGRATI-GARELLI | GUIZZO | MOTOPARILLA | REVOLVY]

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This is the Diablo You've never heard before

And if you are a supercar enthusiast who grew up in the 1990s, You probably know almost all of the Lamborghini Diablo variants. There are SV, VT, S30 Jota, even GTR. But have you ever heard of this kind of variant called the Lamborghini 132 GT1?

1998 Lamborghini 132 'Diablo' GT1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WMv4Gn)

At the end of the 1990s, everybody was getting into high-end racing, partly because thought it was awesome, but partly because it was theoretically possible to go racing at the top level with a legally street-car-based racing car. 

Few famous automotive brands tried it out, even Ferrari (usually mere focused on Formula One alone) attempted with their Ferrari F50 GT. Some of them even managed to have success, like McLaren with their F1 GTR, which claimed overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Right side view of 1998 Lamborghini 132 'Diablo' GT1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36A9BVM)

Seeing all this craziness going on, Lamborghini decided to get into it, too – which was unusual, when you consider that Lamborghini didn’t have a lot of racing pedigree at the time. Yes at that time, Lamborghini started an ambitious sports car racing program that would make it compete with the Porsche 911 GT1, McLaren F1 GTR, etc.

Left side view of 1998 Lamborghini 132 'Diablo' GT1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2PRoE7K)

Then Lamborghini collaborated with a French company, Signes Advanced Technology (SAT), to design and build a racing car. In the beginning, everything went well, those two companies collaboration even succeeded in building a single road-going example to complement the racing car, and making it managed to get a homologation approval of the FIA to make it all legal.

Unfortunately, this project was suddenly canceled, but already there are 2 units of Diablo racing cars that have been built. It’s unclear as to why the program came to an end, though we can make a few reasonable guesses. The cars were built in early 1998, but by September of that year, Audi bought Lamborghini and the program was brought to a halt. 

Interior view of 1998 Lamborghini 132 'Diablo' GT1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NNZcNy)

In the end, the race version of the Lamborghini 132 GT1 ended up competing a little bit in Japan. The road car, such as it is, actually still exists, but what is needed is one look to understand that it is a true classic Lamborghini beast.

Engine view of 1998 Lamborghini 132 'Diablo' GT1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NNZcNy)

Of its appearance, where the car's exterior appears were full of the strong lines typical design of the 1990s wrapped in a strong carbon fiber material as well, which dramatically changed the look of Lamborghini's flagship car in the time.

Rear three-quarter of 1998 Lamborghini 132 'Diablo' GT1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/36A9BVM)

Then the interior is also very different from the standard version due to it has been equipped with a custom pedal box, open shifters and of course, all the buttons, compact switches, and bucket seats, even the roll cages are present in it. Just like what we can expect from the best race car ever.

The car's powertrain is a 6.0 liter V12 naturally aspirated engine capable of producing power of up to 655 horsepower. So that not only from the appearance and performance of this car will be recognized but also from the sound. How fierce this Yellow Devil roaring was, can You hear it! Are you wanna see the Strosek, another unique Diablo variant! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | UPOST | LOVE CARS | FIA HISTORIC DATABASE]

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Kroboth Allwetter Roller has no chance to be grew

When the season changes into wet in the first years after World War II ended, and people want something with a roof. So, people stopped buying motorcycles. And scooters, too. Even though the economy in Western Europe improved rapidly in the 50s, most people were still unable to buy a new car. Especially in Germany which basically rebuilds its infrastructure from scratch. So what is the German need in the wet season in the time? They need a closed scooter.

1955 Kroboth Allwetter Roller while on display. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/347Rwfz)

Luckily there're Willy Messerschmitt started building in a closed scooter with the help of designer Fritz Fend. Shortly thus was born the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller which been sold like a strudel until Willy could not meet the market demand. So, there are holes in the market. But, designing, developing and producing mass cars, even small ones, takes a long time. It needs almost two years in those processes before being sold of microcars in the time. But the market needs somebody to capitalize the most of the wet season as soon as possible. There's one person who tried to take that opportunity was Gustav Kroboth. He was designing a roofed vehicle back in 1953.

1955 Kroboth Allwetter Roller in an advertisement paper. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Wo9k3t)

He started with a simple, but strong central tube frame chassis and then used as many off the shelf parts to finish it off as possible. Front suspension was two transverse leaf springs, with one longitudinal one for the single rear wheel. Like his scooter, it was mid-engined with a 9 horsepower 175 cc Sachs engine mounted behind the driver and in front of the rear wheel. This was the same engine that was then powering the Messerschmitt which meant it was easy to get serviced and find parts for.

1955 Kroboth Allwetter Roller. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34b2Nfp)

Within 3 weeks, he had finished a bare prototype that was ready for testing. He knew he had to distinguish his covered scooter from the Messerschmitt, so he tried as possible to make it look like a real car even though it has only three wheels, and named it Kroboth Allwetter Roller or All-weather Scooter. It also used a ZF steering box, ATE brakes, and a VW windshield. One thing Gustav was particularly proud of was the column-mounted 4-speed shifter. The column shift was all the rage, so this was like being in a full-sized car but without reverse gear anyway. Even with 9 horsepower, its top speed was 46 mph which apparently felt quick on a lightweight chassis like the roofed Kroboth scooter has.

Rearview of 1955 Kroboth Allwetter Roller. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34b2Nfp)

It made its debut, believe it or not, at a hill climb event in Austria where it won its class. Kroboth was certain he had a winner, but the press mocked the little car calling it the product of the 'tinkering of a refugee operation.' Undeterred, Gustav set about making preparations for production. Workers at Kroboth rigorously tested it, driving it over 20,000 kilometers and then taking it apart to check for wear and tear. The handling that had satisfied Gustav when it was a chassis proved pretty squirrely at higher speeds.

After having trouble getting investors to produce it, Gustav finally got it from Fransen and Sohnen, a Dutch bicycle company to make the Kroboth Allwetter Roller in the country. But bad luck returned back when a shipment of a thousand bicycles to India went unpaid, which made the Dutch company have to choose between canceling their offer or going bankrupt, and once again the little roofed Kroboth was forever orphaned. Over the spring and summer of 1955, Gustav Kroboth and his little factory had been built 55 units of Allwetter Roller with the remaining supplies before the factory was shut down permanently.😢 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MICROCAR MUSEUM | WIKIPEDIA | SCOOTERHOOD | UPOST.INFO] 
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These beautiful and scarce Italian scooters nearly extinct (Part-1)

The spaghetti country, Italy is indeed famous as the place where so many beautiful scooters were born. Countless scooter brands are present and enliven the two-wheeled vehicle market shortly after World War 2 ended were coming from the country with the most prominent brands' are Piaggio with its Vespa scooters and Innocenti with Lambretta. Then there are also several other brands such as Ducati, Moto Rumi, Carnielli Vittoria, MV Agusta, and many others.

The scooters atmosphere in Rome around the 1950s in William Klein's camera shots. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2puffZ3)

The existence of some of these Italian scooter brands in their heyday had above-average product quality so that the price also became more expensive than Vespa and Lambretta which could be called established brands at that time. With a slightly more expensive price so that these brands can not compete in the world scooter market which was then controlled by Piaggio and Innocenti. Thus by slowly but surely, they disappear from circulation.😢

Now, We will be discussed again several Italian brands that have ever been enlivened the world scooter market in the 1950s, as follows:

1. Bianchi

Bianchi, one of the first motorcycle manufacturers based in Milan, Italy was founded by Edoardo Bianchi in 1885. The company was started its business as a bicycle producer.

One of the scooter products from this manufacturer is Orsetto, a scooter that has a tubular frame, steel body, and a short wheelbase with small-sized wheels. And then this simple and lightweight scooter uses a small 80 cc engine.

The company started to make the scooter production research in August 1959 and the scooter was launched in April 1960 at the Milan Trade Fair. But unfortunately, because of the financial crisis, the manufacturer ceased production in 1962.😢

1962 Bianchi Orsetto. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2oHQb00)

In the UK, this type of scooter named Roma and made under-licensed by famous British bicycle manufacturer Raleigh started 1961 to 1964.

2. Gianca

Gianca was a historical Italian scooter company, based in Monza even though the motorcycle industry was relatively inactive. Its first and only product was known as Nibbio 100, and is also the first scooter was built in 1947 before Lambretta.

1946 Gianca Nibbio 100 at the 2017 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WMnhIU)

The Nibbio 100 was designed by engineer Scarpa. In one of his first versions with a two-stroke, 98 cc engine mounted on a tubular chassis, similar to that used after the Innocenti for the Lambretta. It was clear that with this project manufacturers Gianca sought to put a product on the market that could counter the Piaggio with its Vespa, then also had to confront the Nibbio with other Italian motorcycle companies, including the Innocenti the Isothermos and Officine Giesse.

1946 Gianca Nibbio 100 at the 2017 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34t0zrS)

In 1949, despite the great propaganda made especially for posters, the Nibbio failed to meet the favor of the market, it then took on the one hand the company to close its doors and the other to sell the project a new company: San Christopher in Milan. San Christopher, Having bought the rights to this project, changed some of its shares, both were propelled by a 125 cc with valve discs, but also on the body. Despite these measures to improve the performance of this new project, as the former was once again totally bankrupt. In 1952 was made a further amendment, even though as regards the name, in fact, it was made into Simonetta. Also In 1952, the San Christoforo Nibbio by Simonetta was built in France under the name Ravat.😢

3. Toscan
This scooter was present at almost the same time as the Gianca Nibbio 100. The sleek Toscan scooter was built only two nearly identical copies. As the name implies, this scooter was made in 1949 in Tuscany, Italy by the unknown manufacturer (if You have information about this scooter, let's us know).

1949 Toscan 98 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NCfdWS)

As quoted from the book titled 'Scooters Made in Italy,' written by Vittorio Tessera, there are 2 similarities that the Tuscan scooter has with the Gianca Nibbio scooter, it same manually assembled (by handmade) and using the same 2-stroke engine with a capacity of 98 cc.

4. Tunin Prina 

This scooter manufacturer was founded by Antonio Prina shortly after World War 2 ended and named Tunin Prina. The company made a leap in production from bicycle production to motorcycles and scooters. For the production of the scooter, they did very well and chose the 'Gran Lusso' acronym for its scooter product.

1951 Prina Orix 175GL at the 2017 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WMnhIU)

In 1951 the manufacturer launched a scooter model named Prina Orix 175 GL (Gran Lusso) which the maker claimed as 'Il gioiello degli scooter' or jewel scooter because it was equipped with all the best at that time such as large-diameter motorcycle type wheels a very rigid, single beam steel frame, body shells with smooth and futuristic shapes, abundant chrome. Besides this, this scooter uses a 2-stroke 175 cc JLO engine that is capable of producing power up to 8.1 horsepower and is integrated with a 4-speed manual transmission system.

1951 Prina Orix 175GL at the 2017 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3d9hIfQ)

The result was that the price was very high, at 265,000 Lire on the list in 1952, when Lambretta was valued at 166,000 and Vespa 150,000. Although Orix can be considered beautiful because the price is too high so it could not reap success in the market and slowly disappeared. But now this scooter is sought after by collectors.

5. SAI Ambrosini

The Freccia Azzura scooter designed and built by engineer Giuseppe Del Bianco using a 125 cc Puch split single with a three-speed gearbox driving via a chain. The machine had telescopic forks.

1952 SAI Ambrosini or Freccia Azzura scooter at the 2017 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2WMnhIU)

Introduced at the Milan Show of 1951, finances proved a problem and the following year he received support from Ambrosini of Passignano and it was built in their factory. Might be this why the Freccia Azzura scooter is also known as the Ambrosini scooter.

1952 SAI Ambrosini or Freccia Azzura scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NwcjCQ)

In 1952 they changed to a Sachs 142 cc engine with a four-speed gearbox, and improved performance. The scooter was aimed at the high end of the market and nearly twice the price of the equivalent Vespa or Lambretta. (Wanna see the next part.)

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 | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCOOTERHOOD | WOIWEB | PROVA MAGAZIN  | MALAGUTI | MOTOCICLISMO | MOTOPARILLA | MOTORCYCLE CLASSICS]

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A unique pulse-jet powered scooter from the cold-war era

If we see a scooter with a conventional petrol engine, or an electric motorcycle today maybe that is common. But what if the two-wheeled vehicle uses a jet engine? This just deserves to be called unique and eccentric.

The Grand Thrust Star 100, a pulse-jet powered scooter by Randy Regier. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/327eRwN)

Yes, during the cold war around the 1950-1960s, the United States had developed a unique scooter that used a jet engine that was named the Grand Thrust Star 100 and used extensively across the country.

Synthetic photo documentation (above) that suggests that these vehicles were made in large numbers and were common to every major American city during those years. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/327eRwN)

It was said that this scooter was deliberately made as an early warning vehicle that was one of hundreds seemingly maintained by the US Civil Defense Department and 'Revere Wardens,' at that time.

The Grand Thrust Star 100 was developed during the Cold War and used extensively across the United States. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/327eRwN)

With a unique and vintage design through a rounded and aerodynamic look typical of a scooter that was inspired by the shape of a jet at that time, so the Grand Thrust Star 100 has become a pop icon in its time. But unfortunately in the late 1970s these scooters were decommissioned/scrapped.

The Grand Thrust Star 100 was deliberately made as an early warning vehicle that was one of hundreds seemingly maintained by the US Civil Defense Department and 'Revere Wardens,' (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2pq9v2p)

This is what drives Randy Regier, an American artist who is trying to revive the unique figure of the jet-engined scooter. Not as a daily vehicle, but limited to installation art to be exhibited to the American public.

As quoted of Silodrome, the project includes the creation of a functioning pulse-jet powered scooter, accompanied by synthetic historic images, multiple handmade period-correct toys and kits, hand-painted posters, magazine ads, and an insignia chart

The only thing Reiger has not yet done is to ride the scooter himself. He built it to be fully operational, pulse jet and all, but has not yet put it to the ultimate test. Are you wanna see another American classic scooters?

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 | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SILODROME | DRIVETRIBE | RIDEAPART | SOLOMOTO]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.