This year Moto Guzzi celebrates its “centenario” — 100 years of continuous motorcycle production at its factory in Mandello del Lario, Italy. This achievement makes Moto Guzzi the oldest European motorcycle manufacturer in continuous operation.
A Century of Moto Guzzi History
On March 15, 1921, the “Società Anonima Moto Guzzi” was established with the goal of “manufacturing and sales of motorcycles and any other activity pertinent or connected to the metal mechanical industry.” And on that day, to honor one of the founders’ brothers in arms, the iconic image of the eagle with spread wings was chosen as the new company’s symbol.
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For the past century, every Moto Guzzi motorcycle has been built at the headquarters in Mandello del Lario, on the idyllic shores of Lake Como. The company’s long history includes numerous milestones and firsts, such as Giuseppe Guzzi, brother of founder Carlo, riding a 1928 GT 500 Norge to the Arctic Circle, and the introduction of the Galletto in 1950, which contributed to mass motorization in the postwar period.
2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Special and Stone Announced
It was after World War II that Moto Guzzi built its legendary the wind tunnel, the first one in the world used for motorcycle testing. Over the years many talented engineers, including Umberto Todero and Enrico Cantoni, developed innovative designs and technologies. Milan native Giulio Cesare Carcano was the father of the incredible 177-mph “Otto Cilindri” (Eight Cylinders) in 1955 and the prototypes which, between 1935 and 1957, won no fewer than 15 world speed titles and 11 Tourist Trophies.
In the 1960s, after the Stornello and Dingo light motorcycles, Moto Guzzi breathed life into its iconic “flying” 90-degree V-twin, with its longitudinal crankshaft and its air-cooled cylinders jutting out into the wind. The 700cc V-twin sent power to the rear wheel through a cardan shaft final drive and served as the powertrain for like the V7 Special, V7 Sport, California and Le Mans.
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Evolved steadily over time, the “flying” V-twin architecture is still used today, enhanced by state-of-the-art electronic control features. It powers modern versions of the V7, the V9 and the V85 TT, an adventure bike with classic endure styling.
Moto Guzzi World Days 2021
Moto Guzzi celebrates its “centenario” with a 2021 calendar full of initiatives that culminates in the Moto Guzzi Worlds Days, to be held in Mandello del Lario on September 9-12.
It has been 10 years since the last Moto Guzzi World Days, an event attended by tens of thousands of “Guzzisti” and enthusiasts. This year’s 100th anniversary event will be a unique and unforgettable event, made possible by the collaboration between Moto Guzzi, Motoraduno Internazionale Committee and the municipality of Mandello del Lario.
2021 Moto Guzzi Limited Edition ‘Centenario’ Livery
To commemorate Moto Guzzi’s 100 anniversary, for 2021 models it will offer an exclusive color scheme inspired by the company’s heritage, in particular its 1955 “Otto Cylindri,” an extraordinary motorcycle created to compete in the World Championship 500 class. This milestone in motorcycle history has an elegant color scheme in its purely racing essence, combining the satin-finished metal of the fuel tank with the green of the fairing and the leather on the seat. Colors that also characterized the 350 Bialbero, one of the most victorious bikes in history, unbeatable in the 350 class in World Championship GP Motorcycle Racing, with the amazing record of 9 consecutive world titles (5 Rider and 4 Manufacturer) from 1953 to 1957.
Green was also the first color worn by a Moto Guzzi with the Normale, the first model, and probably the most iconic of the Eagle’s colors. The Style Centre reinterpreted it with a matte finish and associated with metallic colors that evoke authenticity of the Larian brand. The body colors are matched with a saddle covered with a natural-colored material, like that of leather, to highlight the typically Italian attention to detail. Other distinguishing details are the eagle in a gold finish and the dedicated logo that graphically celebrates Moto Guzzi’s 100 years.
Pricing and availability are as follows:
- 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 100th Anniversary: MSRP $9,190 / late March
- 2021 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber 100th Anniversary: MSRP $10,690 / July
- 2021 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Adventure 100th Anniversary: MSRP $13,190 / late April
For more information, visit motoguzzi.com.
2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, V9 Bobber and V85 TT Centenario Photo Gallery:
I will be interested to know if these models will be a limited edition run and numbered or milled out by the thousands like their past Guzzi’s…