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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Has not had a long time competing in the scooter market, precisely in 1962 the company ceased all production and took over by Benelli. 😢 (
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Maserati together with Iso Rivolta ever produced two concepts/prototype scooters in 1957, the M1 (now unfortunately lost in history, but probably a 125 cc) and the M2 – the 150 cc Alférez.
