15th March 1921

Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi set up the company "Società Anonima Moto Guzzi" in Mandello del Lario. Emanuele Vittorio Parodi is nominated chairman.

1921

Series production begins with 17 employees in a factory of 300 square metres. The first model  to bear the Moto Guzzi name is the ‘Normale’.

1924

The first ever European motorcycle championships are held. Guido Mentasti becomes European champion on a 4 valve Guzzi 500. 

1928

The first Gran Turismo in the history of motorcycling is presented. The Guzzi GT features an elastic frame with rear suspension. The bike is later nicknamed the ‘Norge’ after an epic ride to the Polar Circle by Carlo’s brother Giuseppe Guzzi a few months later. 

1935

The Moto Guzzi racing legend begins. A Moto Guzzi 250 and 500 twin win the world’s most prestigious race, the Isle of Mann Tourist Trophy.

1939

The Airone 250 is introduced and goes on to become the most popular middleweight in Italy, with 29,926 units produced.

1946

After the war, Moto Guzzi becomes a company limited by shares and Giorgio Parodi becomes its chairman. Antonio Micucci designs the Guzzino 65 cc, later named the Cardellino, destined to become the best selling lightweight in Italy and Europe for over a decade.

1949

The first ever motorcycling world championships are held. Bruno Ruffo becomes world champion on a Moto Guzzi 250. 

1950

Two motorcycling legends make their appearance: the Galletto 160 (the world’s first ever large wheel scooter and forerunner of the formula that is so successful today), and the Falcone 500. A wind tunnel is built at the Mandello del Lario factory, enabling Moto Guzzi to become the first manufacturer in the world to equip motorcycles with a modern full fairing. 

1954

The Moto Guzzi factory expands to cover a production area of 24,000 square metres and employs 160 people.

1955

Enrico Parodi becomes chairman of the board. The Moto Guzzi 500 Otto Cilindri makes its appearance at the Belgian GP.

1957

Together with Italy’s other top manufacturers (Gilera and Mondial), Moto Guzzi withdraws from racing having won 3,329 races, 11 Tourist Trophies and 14 world titles.

1966

After the death of Carlo Guzzi, Moto Guzzi is acquired by SEIMM (Società Esercito Industrie Moto Meccaniche), itself controlled by IMI.

Giulio Cesare Carcano designs the 90° V twin engine. One year later the Guzzi V7 is introduced. 

1971

The legendary V7 Sport is presented, revitalising Italian sports motorcycling. The Special, California and Ambassador versions are developed for the American market. 

1973

Moto Guzzi is acquired by De Tomaso Industries. Development of the V twin continues in parallel with that of a series of four cylinder engines. Two years later the Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans is presented.

1980

The 90° V twin is produced in smaller displacements for the Guzzi V35 and V50. Sport frames and engines are introduced. The beautifully designed Guzzi range for the 1980s is presented. 

1990

In the 1990s, production shifts to the realm of the big bikes, with the introduction of the Daytona, Centauro and 1100 Sport. The De Tomaso era ends in 1996 and Moto Guzzi becomes part of the TRG-Trident Rowan Group.

2000

Moto Guzzi is bought by Aprilia S.p.A. and revives its vocation for combining technology, dedication and passion with new models like the limited edition V11 Sport Rosso Mandello, the agile Breva 750 i.e. and new concept bikes like the mighty Griso and Breva V 1100. 

2004

At the end of December the Piaggio Group acquires 100% control over the Aprilia-Moto Guzzi group. (Piaggio is headed by Chairman Roberto Colaninno, Vice Chairman Matteo Colaninno, Managing Director Rocco Sabelli, and General Manager Gianclaudio Neri.) Moto Guzzi thus becomes part of Europe’s biggest two wheeler manufacturing group, with a turnover of 1.5 billion Euros, a market share of 24% of the European two wheeler market and 35% of the Italian market, with over 600,000 units sold per annum, a workforce of 6,000, 8 factories around the world, and a presence in over 50 countries.

2005

Daniele Bandiera is named Managing Director of Moto Guzzi S.p.A. on the 3rd March, with the task of re-engineering and revitalising the company.

The Breva V 1100 makes its official appearance in Milan on the 24th March. Characterised by a design conveying solidity and power in the best Moto Guzzi tradition, the Breva V 1100 is also the first model to incorporate a series of changes to the 1100 cc engine. The 90° V twin is updated in a number of ways, and equipped with Moto Guzzi’s patented new "reactive shaft drive" transmission. Thanks to electronic fuel injection, the Breva V 1100 engine leads the field in terms of protection of the environment too, and conforms to the future Euro3 emission control standards.