Company overview
Moto Guzzi was established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, and is the oldest continuous European motorcycle manufacturer. Initially founded by Giorgio Parodi, Giovanni Ravelli, and Carlo Guzzi, the company began as an aircraft pilot’s venture after World War I. The early motorcycles bore the ‘G.P.’ marque, later changing to Moto Guzzi. Carlo Guzzi’s initial engine design was a horizontal single-cylinder, and the company initially focused on racing to promote its brand. By the 1950s, Moto Guzzi was a leader in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, developing innovative engines like the V8 500 cc racer. Following World War II, the company produced smaller, lighter cycles to meet post-war demand and compete with other Italian manufacturers. In 1973, De Tomaso Industries acquired Moto Guzzi, and later Benelli merged with the company to form Guzzi Benelli Moto (G.B.M.). The iconic 90° V-twin engine, designed by Giulio Cesare Carcano, became a hallmark of Moto Guzzi’s motorcycles. The company pioneered features such as the hydraulic integrated brake system and a cartridge front fork, contributing to its distinctive design and engineering.
