The brothers Francesco and Walter Villa were involved in racing for many years. Francesco designed 2-stroke racers for Ducati, Mondial and Montesa, while Walter won 4 world championships for Harley-Davidson/Aermacchi in the '70s. They began building their own machines in 1968, with Walter winning the Italian championship on a 125cc model.

This 250 V-4 appeared the following year and was basically two 125 twins mounted one above the other at a 30 degree angle. Unfortunately a change of rules limiting 250cc GP machines to two cylinders for the 1970 season put paid to the design. It appeared in practice at the Italian GP did not compete.

The Sammy Miller Museum is an historically important collection of road and competition motorcycles which focuses on the golden age of the sport in the 1950s and 60s. The collection includes some of the most outstanding machines ever raced, and almost all are in running order. Many have been lovingly restored, and some have been left with their original patina. More information here: The Sammy Miller Museum

Fine photography by Phil Aynsley

Moto Villa