The first CHiP's motorcycle prototype

A motorcycle that has a high-capable power as an operational vehicle for law enforcement on the highway has become a necessity. This is what might have thought by law enforcers incorporated in the California Highway Patrol (CHiP) unit in the early 1940s. 

So then they tried to make a motorcycle prototype for this purpose and then send it to the motorcycle maker as an appropriate sample.

1947 Jordan Twin Crank Four (E) prototype as an example to be made in the motorcycle factory. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bqV6Ws)

Well, LeGrand Jordan is one of the first California Highway Patrol officers, and in 1947 he developed a motorcycle prototype that was named the Jordan and was used as a motorcycle for pursuing the traffic violator vehicles on the highways.

1947 Jordan motorcycle in The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BYJ4MB)

The Jordan motorcycle adopts a Twin crankshaft Four shaft engine which has a 1,000 cc of capacity and reversed rotating to balance the bike. This bike uses a streamline pressed-steel body also serves as a motorcycle frame.

1947 Jordan motorcycle adopts a 1,000 cc Twin crankshaft Four shaft engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BYJ4MB)

Jordan made the motorcycle as a sample and then offered to the various motorcycle factories to be made, but none of them were interested to produce it because of the design of such a complex.

Rearview of 1947 Jordan motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zBls1q)

So the Jordan Twin Crank Four prototype sits in pristine and unique glory, one of 20 classics in the Otis Chandler Motorcycle Gallery of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

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 16022015 | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LOS ANGELES TIMES] 
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An Italian classic cockerel of the 1950s

Italy does have a very close relationship with the development of scooters in the world from the beginning up today. Yes, from this pizza country where the culture of scooters began which then spread throughout the world.

Moto Guzzi Galletto the first large-wheeled scooter of the 50s in rally for classic car and motorcycle festive during the Concorso d'Eleganza 2014 event at Lake Como, Italy. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2xx8ZDT)

But it's not just Italian companies like Piaggio or Innocenti that make scooters, apparently there are still many other manufacturers in this country who also made scooters shortly after the second world war ended.

It was noted that there were several Italian manufacturers who had made scooters in the past such as, Ducati was made a beautiful scooter known as the Ducati Brio, then there was Teodoro Carnielli & Co. made a thin scooter named the Carnielli Vittoria Type 65, then there was Rumi 'Ants' Formichino from Moto Rumi, MV Agusta 125 series, etc.

The Moto Guzzi Galletto came to combine the advantages of a motorbike with those of a scooter has. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RMZQOnT)

And at that time it turned out that scooter fever was also infected Moto Guzzi, an Italian famous motorcycle manufacturer. The motorcycle manufacturer has known endured from the industrys infancy to its place today as one of the oldest European manufacturers in continuous motorcycle production. 

Carlo Guzzi was one of Moto Guzzi’s three co-founders back in 1921, and he was the brainchild behind a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the Moto Guzzi Galletto (an Italian for cockerel). He decided to combine the advantages of a motorbike with those of a scooter, given the success of the Piaggio with Vespa in the time.

The Galletto came together with a tubular steel frame, leading link fork, and single sided swing arm wrapped around a 192cc . Both wheels were the same size, so an optional spare wheel/tire was thoughtfully included and tucked up front. This was Guzzi’s first scooter, and it was introduced at the 1950 Geneva Motor Show.

1952 Moto Guzzi Galletto came around with a 175cc air-cooled single cylinder engine and four speeds. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VEqvOl)

Moto Guzzi’s Galletto offered the superior handling qualities of a true motorcycle, it was therefore suitable for long journeys thanks to its comfort and safety, and maintenance very economical. 

The first model that launched in 1950 runs used a 160cc engine coupled with a three-speed manual transmission system, then the Galletto was upgraded to 175cc and four speeds in 1952 and lastly to 192cc air-cooled single in 1954.

After approximately 15 years of production, the Galetto were sold over 75,000 units. With alongside its other famous compatriot scooters, the Vespa and Lambretta, the Galletto is included one of the most iconic Italian classic scooter ever made!

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 | ORLANDO MUSEUM | ITALIAN VITAGE MOTORS | BIKE-URIOUS | COYS.CO.UK]

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Linto Marilina was inspired by the beauty of Marilyn Monroe

During the heyday of scooters in the 1950s to 1960s, there were many models produced by motorized-vehicle manufacturers or even individuals, and the following beautiful scooter is one of them. It could be said almost extinct swallowed by time, and perhaps among us as automotive enthusiasts moreover true fans of scooters today have never heard of its name or seen its form. This is a really rare scooter, and may only one-of-a-kind in the world.

1954 Linto Marilina while on display in front of Marilyn Monroe's picture at the Salon Moto Légende 2019. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3addAIm)

Yes, a scooter that has an elegant and luxurious appearance named Linto Marilina, which was a custom-made scooter built by Lino Tonti in 1954 which later became his personal vehicle and built based on the Aermacchi Bicilindrica 250. As mentioned from several sources, the scooter was made in such a way to tribute for the beautiful Hollywood actress, Marilyn Monroe.

At that time, the scooter was built in his workshop by a team that consisted of several people, including Massimo Pasolini, father of Renzo Pasolini (one of the famous Italian motorcycle racers).

1954 Aermacchi Bicilindrica 250 as the base of the Linto Marilina beautiful motor. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RGUdRw)

After a long time lost from public view, until then in 2015, this scooter was rediscovered in a sad condition. And one and a half years later, a restoration was carried out, so it required several hundred work hours to restore the looks as in its heyday before.

The entire restoration process was carried out by the current owner, Alain Nibart with the help of Dominique Secco and Renard's workshop to reconstruct the wreck that was found with only one or two rare photographs as models. If you want to see pictures of this scooter while in the restoration stage, you can see it.

1954 Linto Marilina was built based on the Aermacchi Bicilindrica 250 to tribute for the beautiful Hollywood actress, Marilyn Monroe. (Picture from: https://pin.it/7lKNFX3)

Aside from the beautiful scooter Marilina above, it turns out that Lino Tonti had also worked on the racing motorbike used by a Swiss racer, Gyula Marsovszky when he managed to finish in the second place (behind Giacomo Agostini) at the World Championship Grand Prix 500cc in 1969.

1954 Linto Marilina has used a 250 cc OHV engine coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission system and said able to run-up to the top speed of 110 kph. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34Hrnpt)

The racing motorcycle was taking design inspiration from a 1953 prototype named Linto Dama. Initially, the company planned to produce and market it in 3 versions namely, Sport, Scooters (as shown in the photo below) and Tourismo. However, this was never realized.

1953 Linto Dama Scooter 200cc version while on display at the Salon Moto Légende 2019. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ejrWdA)

Those two Lino Tonti's rare two-wheeled vehicles appeared in public along with hundreds of other legendary motorbikes at the French motorcycle expo event titled 'Salon Moto Légende 2019,' which was held in November 2019. If you have additional information about these scooter figures, don't hesitate to submit it to the comments box below. We really appreciate your help.

The Linto Dama's design was successful to deliver this manufacturer standing on the podium of the World Championship Grand Prix 500cc in 1969 as the second winner. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ejrWdA)

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 | MOTO-COLLECTION.ORG | CARADISIAC | CAFERACERCLUB.ORG]

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Two-wheeled Car from Germany

As we all knew, that in the first years after World War II, the world's economies were ruined and stagnant. So, it can be explained financially at that time no one can afford to buy a car. What we could be seen at the time only the damaged roads throughout Europe, and only bicycles and people on the foot pass over on the streets. Then slowly but sure, these financial limitations also can trigger an explosion in demand for motorbikes and scooters as a means of transportation, so motorcycle manufacturers sprang up all over Europe to revive the economy wheel after being stagnant during World War II.

Due to its unique looks like a car, so the 1951 Maico Mobil earned the title the 'two-wheeled car' in the time. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RxAbJ7)

At that time it was noted that two Italian manufacturers, Piaggio or Innocenti tried to pioneer two-wheeled vehicles based on the American scooter-designed and then considered as the first country to popularize the culture of scooters throughout the universe since the day. In addition, there are names of producers from England, France, and the Soviet Union and many others which appeared shortly after. And in Germany itself, several producer names have sprung up such as DKW, Glas, Heinkel, Zundapp, Dürkopp, Kroboth, etc.

1952 Maico Mobil 175 scooter. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RycJvE)

Among the many companies from Germany that produce scooters and one of them is Maico. The company was founded in 1926 by Ulrich Maisch. Initially, this manufacturer produced bicycles, and ten years later the German company developed into producing motorbikes using 143cc engines produced by German specialist 2-stroke engine manufacturer, ILO-Motorenwerke, to power various utilitarian lightweight motorbikes. At the end of World War II, with money from the Marshall Plan, Maico built a line of single and double-cylinder 2-stroke motorbikes under the names Blizzard and Typhoon, and this was followed in 1951 by producing the Maico Mobil.

1954 Maico Mobil MB200 scooter. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2yZUPvhE)

The scooter mentioned above is powered by a 148cc 2-stroke engine, the car has an aluminum bodywork and fairings built on a tubular space frame, which is unique in terms of construction and style and owes little to other two-wheeled vehicles. This provides maximum weather protection and carrying capacity for riders and passengers, and with the engine cooling fan installed between the dashboard and the driver's seat, period reporters find it very difficult to describe it either as a motorcycle or a scooter. Perhaps not surprisingly, it earned the title "two-wheeled car."

1957 Maico Maicoletta 280cc scooter. (Picture from: http://www.flickr.com/)

Then in 1954, the engine capacity was enlarged to 173cc, and the larger 197cc version was debuted too, which was able to produce 11 horsepower at 5,000rpm. The bodywork remains the same throughout the Car production range, but the larger 197cc motorbike sees a 3-speed-grip-controlled transmission replaced by a 4-speeder, which is controlled by a heel-and-toe shifter pedal. The wheels are offset to facilitate wheel replacement in case of a puncture, with a backup stored in the rear bodywork. The front suspension is a telescopic fork, while on the rear the ride is comfortable for pilots and passengers provided by a set of twin shocks along with a plush rubber Pagusa seat.

1958 Maico Mobil MB200. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2K2AM1j)

With a gas tank capacity of 2.5 gallons, the Mobil was perfect for touring, and in early 1953 Willem Dussel completed world exploration with his comprehensively equipped MB200: The combined weight of the driver, suitcase and engine weighing 660 pounds. There is no doubt that even in its standard specifications - the work of the coach themselves weighing 253 pounds - the MB200 is a heavy beast. However, it can maintain a comfortable 50mph cruising speed with little or no protest from its 2-stroke single-engine, as evidenced by the MotorCycle in a review of the model in October 1956.

Unlike most scooters in the time, the Maico scooter fuel tank is mounted in the front under the dashboard, which also contains a glove box, ignition switch, and gear indicator on the speedometer. This leaves room for a large pair of panniers under the seat that is enough to store other goods.

Compared to many similar scooter products at the time, the Mobil was undoubtedly one of the most luxurious scooters built during the 1950s, but its radical appearance and high price meant that it was not a big seller. However, today, it is highly valued and regarded by connoisseurs as the "Holy Grail" of small two-wheeled vehicles. So to get one of the Maico scooters moreover the rare MB200 model has become a dream for the true scooter fans and collectors around the world with the price tags of thousands of euros.

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 | BONHAMS | MOTORCYCLECLASSICS]

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Have You ever seen this 1954 Paul David scooter?

It is realized or not, in fact, that the presence of a scooter that began in the early 20th century has given its own color and style to the automotive world. How not, the type of vehicle that initially only has a very simple construction, which then in such a way can develop into a vehicle with various forms (while maintaining its basic characteristics). Yes, this vehicle which later became a trend in the 1950s to 1960s and amazingly can continue to grow and survive until now.

This bright-blue gorgeous scooter was made by Paul David in 1954 and restored by his grandson Marc David in 2006. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2wYdYgy)

So it is not surprising if the scooter then arouses the passion and interest of many manufacturers and individuals around the world to make it. For example, see how unique the scooter looks as follows, it was turn out built by the skilled-hand of a French automotive lover in the 1950s. We're found this beautiful scooter for the first time on the Pinterest page while surfing on the internet. Unique isn't it?

This bright-blue gorgeous 1954 Paul David scooter was appeared at the Club Ydral's 20th-anniversary meeting at Rochetaillée Sur Saône, on April 25, 2010. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XcORBl)

Well, might be some of you have never known or seen a two-wheeled vehicle like the one in the photo above. As quoted from Ydral Club, It was one of the scooters that appeared at the Club Ydral's 20th-anniversary meeting at Rochetaillée Sur Saône, on April 25, 2010, and can be briefly explained that this little blue-colored scooter was made by Paul David in 1954 and known as 1954 Paul David Scooter.

Marc David posed along with his father while attending the Club Ydral's 20th-anniversary meeting at Rochetaillée Sur Saône, on April 25, 2010. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bYG9KP)

The story began in 1954 when Paul David was 18 years old, at the time he worked in a metal factory. It said, that he intended to have a scooter and built it by himself. The entire scooter frame was made entirely of metal materials, then on that construction was installed a Ydral 175 engine. Well, all made by hand with an 8/10 steel shell welded autogenously.

After the restoration completed, this bright-blue gorgeous 1954 Paul David scooter uses Ydral 125 engine, before that used Ydral 175. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bYG9KP)

Then it's equipped with a rod taken from Bernardet scooter then mounted the seaters, Renault 4CV headlights, Simca indicators, and other available parts. After the body is finished then coated with cellulose layer by layer, then painted in bright blue color. Then the 140kg weighted scooter was registered and shortly after that approved by the France authorities. It could be seen on the manufacturer's plates are still there, pinned on the scooter's front apron. 

After the scooter construction was completed, Paul David used it for a while, when he joined the army in 1956, the machine left in dust-covered on the garage. After he returned from military service, then he moved on and changed his life, so the scooter was left untreated since then.

The bright-blue gorgeous 1954 Paul David scooter shortly after used on a road test by Club Ydral at Corrèze on April 25, 2009. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bYG9KP)

In 2006, Paul David's grandson named Marc asked the scooter from his father to be restored. The restoration process took up to 2 years, while the construction lasted only one year. All parts of the body and chassis that look worn out then sanded, milled, given back chromate layer, then repainted it, by using current technical tools and facilities of them have.

This bright-blue gorgeous 1954 Paul David scooter got the additional safety features after its restoration was the turn signal mounted only on the back. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/39F5aJG)

Its lateral grilles such as the grating under the seat have been rebuilt and chrome plated. The electricity section has been rebuilt as well. The ignition has been modified to use an external coil and electronic ignition. While, the combination of spring shock absorbers with an external cylinder was chosen after various tests because it is possible, thanks to various adjustments, to adapt perfectly to the scooter characteristics.

Even the trailer has been specially made and adapted for this bright-blue gorgeous 1954 Paul David scooter. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bYG9KP)

As quoted from the same source, after completing the restoration, the scooter was back in its best condition once again and considered very easy to ignite and ride. There are additional features pinned on the figure of this scooter are turn signal mounted only on the back, in addition to making it ridden safer, and also to meet the eligibility as a vehicle that can be used on the highway. 

As we have discussed before, in France there are also many unique and mysterious scooters when we've been seeing their figures now, such as Proto DelaPLace, Gloobyscoot, Scootavia, Paul Vallée, Boudier Super B58, Manurhin, and Peugeot scooters, etc.

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 | LES-TONTON-SCOOTEURS | STABILCAR | CLUB YDRAL]

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The vintage-styled Moto Major 350 still enchanting until today

By the end of World War II, many manufacturers returned to their natural habitat from producing military to civilian needs. This is marked by a number of companies starting to emerge, offering everything that can be produced by the changed 'defense industry' to those who survived an obscure time safely.

The vintage-styled 1947 Moto Major 350 prototype still enchanting until today. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3ciB01d)

Almost all of the companies that we know today were coming from that era, but do you know how many of these companies did not survive? But there are some very interesting copies from the era, such as a 350 cc motorcycle called the Moto Major 350 which appears quite unique even with vintage postwar motorcycle technology.

The 1947 Moto Major 350 is voted as the Best of Show Motorcycles at the Concorso Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2018. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

The motorcycle is known to have been designed by a Turin engineer named Salvatore Maiorca in 1947 and it can be juxtaposed with two other vintage motorbikes that came from the same era and also have an almost similar shape such as the 1938 Killinger & Freund and Louis Lucien Lepoix’s personal BMW R12, made in 1947.

As quoted from The Vintagent, this motorcycle was a product of its time, Moto Major originated as an extraordinary styling arrangement at Aeritalia's aerodynamic research facility in Turin. This is possible because the process of developing a motorcycle is fully funded by Aeritalia, a Turin-based subsidiary of Fiat.

From every angle, the Moto Major is stunning and compelling. The sole prototype remains in original and unrestored condition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

Initially, the motorcycle development was mentioned as an exploratory effort of the Italian automotive giant to produce two-wheeled vehicles. This is the company's second attempt after the company was known in 1938 had ever made a Fiat scooter prototype similar to the Piaggio-made prototype in 1945 named the MP5 Paperino.

Amazingly, even though it has passed 7 decades since this motorcycle was first presented, the aesthetics are still enchanting. By applying aerodynamic bodywork construction that is reminiscent of cephalopods. With the bodywork sculpted that is full of extraordinary detail, such as the silencer shaped resembled a fishtail laid.

A cutaway view of the 350 single-cylinder Moto Major, showing the steering system, inline single-cylinder motor, shaft drive, and fuel tank under the saddle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

The motorbike appeared with an exotic art deco styled bodywork that can run using a twin-cylinder engine that is cooled with liquid, vertical, with two radiators embedded in the fairing that is fed through the front air in front. It was a little backward because the hand shift appeared through the bodywork, and handlebars exposed.

The twin exhausts exited through twin flattened fishtails out back, which the 350cc single model retained, in spite of having only one exhaust pipe! The second fishtail is a dummy, just for an aesthetic balance purposed.

The Moto Major has twin fishtail exhausts hide a secret with only one side is functional, another one is a dummy for aesthetic balance purposes only. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

Then the entire body is covered with steel sheets that leave only the wheels, headlight and protruding handlebars. Thus maintaining an absolute purity line, running from the headlight up to the rear wheel hub, while the front shell curls gently and smartly to surround the front wheels, then re-ignites to protect the rider.

The sublime bodywork is also designed as a self-supporting hull, and fully monocoque. It is free to hug the front and rear wheels closely because the suspension is not between the wheels and the chassis, but between the wheel rims and their hubs! Maiorca used the idea of suspension-in-wheel in his aircraft designs, reinventing an idea almost as old as the motorcycle ie the elastic wheel.

The handlebars move in a slot in the bodywork, between the speedometer and a steering damper knob. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

In the blissful optimism of the post-war period, the brass at FIAT seemed to forget the costs of building such a radical machine. While Moto Major remains unique, so they plan to market it and then collaborated with Pirelli to build the factory. After then Pirelli happily showed the Moto Major 350 at its booth at the Salon of Milan in 1948, where it created an enduring sensation for good.

The Moto Major’s in-wheel suspension uses 12 compressed rubber disc per wheel for suspension, to provide a nominal 50cm of travel. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39irZUh)

But for some undefinition reasons, in the end, all of these didn't go according to the plan. And finally, the dream of the Moto Major becomes too good to be true and is saved forever in memory. Maybe for them, this is a beautiful vehicle to see, but it also remains difficult to understand and not produced.

The Moto Major could run again, but its rubber buffers are unique and deteriorating, so the Hockenheim Museum Archive (the current owner) has chosen to keep it exactly as it is, for now. Here's the video of the Concorso Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2018, where the Moto Major voted as the Best of Show Motorcycles.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE VINTAGENT | BIKEEXIF | MOTORIDERSUNIVERSE]

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Here's the 1st Italian-made scooter even it just a prototype

Over the years many automotive enthusiasts around the world have known that the worldwide culture of scooters was originally popularized by the two Italian companies, namely Piaggio and Innocenti in the 1940s and experienced the heyday of the 1950s and 1960s. This was marked by the number of scooter products that were present in the world automotive market at that time.

Many thought that the 1938 Fiat scooter prototype was the 1st Italian-made scooter, instead Vespa or Lambretta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39gwX3G)

But did you know? if the Vespa and Lambretta scooters were not the first Italian scooters, it turns out that among many Italian companies working in the pre and post-war automotive industry, one of them was Fiat. The company was known to have ever made a scooter prototype in 1938 that looked similar to Piaggio's MP5 Paperino.

Because the Fiat prototype was made in 1938, so many people called it the first Italian scooter, even though it was built only as a prototype. The existence of this scooter began with an idea from Giancarlo Camarena, vice president of the Fiat Group at the time. He must think hard and try to maintain the business in order to survive in difficult economic conditions at the time by making a new breakthrough.

Now, the one-off 1938 Fiat Scooter prototype is sat on display in the Salsapariglia private museum. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38b1D58)

Yes, at that time the world was hit by a severe economic recession, so that people could no longer afford to buy a car, even with a small engine size coupled with none of the military equipment orders. So then Camarena came up with an idea to create a more affordable alternative vehicle.

Shortly after, the alternative vehicle construction process was started immediately. The Fiat scooter project was then entrusted to a Fiat engineer named Vittorio Calosso. Next to the prototype design, Fiat collaborates with Volugrafo, a Turin-based company. Shortly afterward in 1938 was born a scooter prototype based on the Volugrafo scooter design created by Vittorio Belmondo.

The 1938 Fiat scooter protorype is used a 98cc Sachs engine with a magnetic ignition system and is capable of producing power of 2 horsepower. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TCIofF)

Physically, this prototype scooter looks beautiful with a chrome-plated grill under the rider's seat where at a glance its shape reminiscent to the Alfa Romeo shield. This scooter prototype has a fairly lightweight of around 55 kg with a front leaf spring suspension system and swinging arms so that it can be a valid vehicle for traveling around the city or for just recreational rides.

The 1938 Fiat Scooter prototype has a gear-shift lever similar to one that used on the car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38b1D58)

The unique figure of a small scooter uses a 98cc Sachs engine with a magnetic ignition system and is capable of producing power of 2 horsepower. The engine power generated is then channeled through a 2-speed manual transmission system to drive its rear wheel so that it can run up to a top speed of 70 kph. The gearbox is operated through a lever located on the handlebar, with its front suspension exposed, so it looks comfortable, futuristic, and modern at the time.

Unfortunately, the development of this scooter then stopped without ever being produced at all, because at that time the second world war shortly began in 1939. Currently, this unique specimen is seen in a completely restored condition and is stored as one of the collections of the Collezione Salsapariglia private museum. Indeed very little is known about this scooter, both from books and magazines even from the internet though. Hopefully, this article can be one of the references related to Fiat's scooter prototype. Grazie signore!

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DANATA VINTAGE | COLLEZIONE SALSAPARIGLIA | BOOK OF GOOGLE]

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Lepoix's R12 futuristic bodywork designed far beyond its time

There are always creative people who could be used as inspirational models. No exception in the automotive world. Maybe the following figure is not many people who know him, because indeed he was not so prominent in his time. But over time, it is increasingly seen how extraordinary the work and achievements of this gentleman figure when viewed today.

Louis Lucien Lepoix and his spectacular motorcycle with futuristic bodywork for his BMW R12 made in 1947. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38fgQSL)

Yes, he is Louis Lucien Lepoix, a French-born industrial designer, but mostly settled in Germany during his career. Noted, he had founded his-owned design atelier that was originally focused on two-wheeled projects in 1947.

The work began by creating an extraordinary futuristic bodywork for his BMW R12. The BMW R12 motorcycle is known to carry a 750cc flat-twin side-valve engine with a press "steel" frame.

The comparatively staid BMW R12 on which Lepoix placed his futuristic bodywork. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3coQi4A)

As quoted from Bikeexif, it was mentioned that even without the support of the manufacturer, in 1947 he designed and built an extraordinary streamlined motorcycle based on his BMW R12 motorcycle. It was said that he bought a 1934 BMW R12 motorcycle from an auction held by the French Military in Baden-Baden, Germany.

Louis Lucien Lepoix’s pre-War sketch for his modern motorcycle design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38fgQSL)

The result, a motorcycle that is very spectacular, but its weight is now a little heavier. At that time very few motorcycle models explored the full-streamlining concept and, more rarely, applied fairing which protected the rider from being blown by the wind. And after wearing a new bodywork that has an art-deco style, so it looks very stylish, modern and futuristic.

A sketch of the Lepoix's BMW R12 with a fully covered and faired (ie, bodywork protecting the rider with aerodynamic, wind-cheating designs). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2THufOj)

Perhaps, this modified R12 motorbike was one of the first motorbikes to be fully covered and faired (ie, bodywork protecting the rider with aerodynamic, wind-cheating designs).

But shortly after building the motorcycle, he sold it because of financial problems and since then the motorcycle is not known to exist anymore.

Another view of the BMW special (note the BMW’s original brakes and fork shrouds are incorporated). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32GqUCT)

Besides using the BMW motorbike mentioned above to build his name in the German motorcycle industry, there're many more motorcycles designed by Louis Lucien Lepoix in the 1950s such as Kreidler, Hercules, Horex, Puch, Maico, Triumph, Bastert and Walba and others.

And during his career in the automotive world, he produced a lot of phenomenal futuristic vehicle design works far beyond its time.

Rearview of the BMW special showing its sweeping, integrated lines, and the original pressed-steel frame of the BMW beneath. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38fgQSL)

At the end of the Bikeexif article is wrote, that the son of Louis Lucien Lepoix seeks help from anybody to inform them if there's any whereabout info of this unique BMW R12. Due to there is not much information now about this BMW, or who the buyer was. And the video below is about the original BMW R12.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIKEEXIF | THE VINTAGENT]

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