Italian Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Motorcycles Built in Italy (G)

Notes on some of the rarer Italian marques

This page lists brands for which limited information is available. For a more complete listing visit the Italian Index.

See also Obscure Italian Marques.


Galetti

Built in Milan, 1923-1927

On the 19th of April 1924 Andrea Galetti was practising for the 1924 Circuito di Belfiore motorcycle race, to be held near Mantua on the 20th.

Andrea swerved to avoid a cyclist, lost control and landed badly. He died of his injuries a few hours later.

The 500cc machine had been built in his brother Mario's workshop in Milano.

Galetti was from Castel d'Ario, as was Tazio Nuvolari, to whom he may have been related. Nuvolari won the race the following day, riding a 500cc Norton.

Sources: motorsportmemorial.org; Mauro Colombo


Galletti

In the mid 1950s the firm manufactured frames and bodywork for mopeds, and possibly built complete units.

Vesting marketed a Vesting Galletti "scooter" in 1957, which is markedly similar to the Galletti mopeds which the firm displayed around that time. Their name is also mentioned under Motoflash.

During that period the Galletti company supplied components to Ferarri, Lambourghini and Ducati. The firm has an in-house museum devoted to their works.

Sources: galletti.it, et al


GAOMA
Based in Lodi, Milano, the firm produced a 65cc scooter named Daino in 1951 with bodywork by Magni of Milan. Later models had 75cc engines, and they remained in production until 1954.
See also Bertoni of Lodi
Sources: motoclubstoricoconti.it, et al.


Ghezzi & Brian 1995-


Gianca

GM


Gnesutta 1899-1900


GP (Griffoni & Piccini)

In 1927 Luigi Griffoni and Libero Piccini of Falconara Marittima (Ancona) built a motorcycle named GP. It had a 216 cc four-stroke horizontal single-cylinder engine of their own design which ran on diesel or petrol. It was only built that year.

Not to be confused with the GP by Guzzi and Parodi, the forerunner of Moto Guzzi.

Source: Benelli Museum


Grillo 1949~1953


Guia
Manufactured by Officine Ettore Buralli, Vanam, Milano, 1950-1954
Built lightweights with two-stroke engines of 98, 123 and 147 cc. A Turismo model was available with a pressed metal frame, and a Sport with tubular frame.
Sources: wikipedia.nl, Tragatsch p153.


Rarer Italian Marques