Moto Guzzi Celebrates Its 100-Year Anniversary In 2021

Moto Guzzi will celebrate its centennial anniversary by welcoming a commemorative paint scheme to its models.

Begin press release:

After 100 Years of Continuous Production, Moto Guzzi Looks Forward to the Next Century

More specifically, it was March 15, 1921 when 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 it was precisely in that moment, in memory of one of the founders’ brothers in arms, that the eagle with spread wings was chosen as the new company’s symbol. Since then, the eagle, which quickly gained notoriety all over the world, has been Moto Guzzi’s symbol.

The operational headquarters opened in Mandello del Lario – the same plant where all Moto Guzzi are still produced to this day – an enterprise that marked the history of global motorcycling through bikes that have become a part of the collective imagination such as the GT 500 Norge (1928) ridden to the Arctic Circle by Giuseppe Guzzi, brother of founder Carlo, the Airone 250 (1939), the Galletto (1950) which contributed to mass motorization in the postwar period.

In those years, the wind tunnel was opened – the first in the world in the motorcycling segment, which can still be visited in the Mandello plant – greatly desired by a close-knit team that included extraordinary engineers the likes of Umberto Todero, Enrico Cantoni and a designer who would soon become a legend: Milan native Giulio Cesare Carcano, father of the incredible 285 km/hour Otto Cilindri (in 1955) and the prototypes which, between 1935 and 1957, won no fewer than 15 world speed titles and 11 Tourist Trophies.

In the ’60s, after the Stornello and Dingo light motorcycles, Moto Guzzi breathed life into the 700cc 90° V-twin with cardan shaft final drive, destined to become the very symbol of the manufacturer from Mandello through legendary models like the V7 Special, V7 Sport, California and Le Mans. This engine has been consistently evolved on this architecture, all the way to riding, supported by the most advanced electronic control features, the most popular modern Moto Guzzis such as the V7, V9, and the V85 TT traveler, the first ever classic enduro in the world.

Moto Guzzi World Days 2021 Welcomes its Machines Back to Mandello for the Centennial

Moto Guzzi celebrates this extraordinary anniversary with a 2021 calendar full of initiatives that will culminate in the Moto Guzzi Worlds Days (Giornate Mondiali Moto Guzzi), scheduled to be held in Mandello del Lario from September 9 through 12.

The Moto Guzzi World Days are a must-attend event for any enthusiast and, eagerly anticipated, they are back ten years after the last edition to celebrate this milestone. Tens of thousands of enthusiasts will flock from all over the world to experience a unique and unforgettable event, made possible by the collaboration between Moto Guzzi, Motoraduno Internazionale Committee and the municipality of Mandello del Lario, where the Moto Guzzi factory is located has been continuously manufacturing motorcycles celebrate the world over, for a century.

After 100 years, the iconic machines from Moto Guzzi, having all throughout the duration been built alongside Lago di Como, can return to the Mandello factory in an appropriate and spirited homecoming. Guzzisti and enthusiasts alike will join in celebrating the milestone of one of the most fantastic and remarkable stories in all of motorcycling, at the source, as the Eagle Brand of Mandello continues into a new century of production and storytelling.

Moto Guzzi Will Produce a Limited Series in a Centennial Livery, Only Produced for 2021

An exclusive, elegant and attractive color scheme, evocative of a unique heritage, drawing its origins from the aesthetics of legendary bikes which made motorcycling history, first and foremost, the 8-cylinder (“otto cilindri”) of 1955. A crazy, yet visionary idea, an extraordinary bike created to compete in the World Championship 500 class, a project so bold that it was ten years ahead of all global motorcycle production.

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 fairingand 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 in a modern approach with a matte finish and associated with metallic colors the express the solidity and 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.

Availability USA:
V7 Stone 100th Anniversary: MSRP $9,190 – arrival end of March 2021
V9 Bobber 100th Anniversary: MSRP $10,690 – arrival July 2021
V85TT Adventure 100th Anniversary: MSRP $13,190 – arrival end of April 2021