A Brief History of the Marque
Manufactured at via Melloni 3, Monteveglio, Bologna, 1953-1985
Angelo Zanasi built the first Meteora using an OMS 175cc single-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft. Some 30 of these were built. [1]
The company later produced a 125cc machine and two 50cc Pony mopeds using FBM engines, and the NSU-powered Poker. A 150cc model arrived in 1957 powered by Minarelli.
Zanasi retired in 1957 and the company management was then headed by signora Isora Negri for some years. The company changed hands again in 1967 and moved to Riale di Zola Predosa, building Franco Morini-powered machines including the Arrow, the Mini Sebring and the Minimet.
In 1975 Meteora formed an agreement with Motobécane to built lightweights for the export markets, and after 1980 [2] they ceased producing machines under the Meteora brand and supplied other companies including Malaguti, Malanca and Moto Villa. After 2000 they worked with Honda assembling Japanese machines for the Italian market, and also assembled LEM motos and the Beta Minimoto.
Notes
1. OMS aka O.Me.S
2. Use of the Meteora name may have ceased in 1985
Sources: Tragatsch p208, MC Storico Conti, it.wikipedia.org, et al.
Fri May 28 2010
hlovell7<at>aol dot com
Help
Motori Morini Franco Moto Meteora moped
Can anyone help with some history and a book on the 50cc engine?
