A Brief History of the Marque
Manufactured: 1947 - 2006
Moto Laverda was founded in 1947 by Francesco Laverda in Breganze, province of Vicenza.
Best known as a producer of agricultural equipment, Laverda was also built caravans and aircraft at a factory which they bought from Aero Caproni. Their first motorcycles had an OHV 75cc engine in a pressed-metal frame.
In 1968 they created a new 653cc machine with overhead camshaft, soon increased to 748cc. This was followed, in 1973, by a three-cylinder 980cc DOHC sports machine which was very well received. The crowning achievement of the period was the development of a V6 enduro racer, designed by Giulio Alfieri (of Maserati fame) at the instigation of Massimo Laverda, son of the founder.
Some years later an 1115cc version appeared. Although more refined they did not achieve the popularity of their predecessors. Production continued with a twin-cylinder 500cc and with a series of small-displacement two-strokes, some with Zundapp water cooled engines. In the mid-80s the Laverda company suffered financial difficulties and as a result production ceased in 1988.
In the 1990s the marque reappeared briefly, and then was acquired in 2000 by Aprilia, which was in turn acquired by the Piaggio group which also owns Moto Guzzi.
The last Laverda motorcycle was produced in 2006 - the SFC1000 had a V-twin Aprilia engine which was designed by Rotax.
In recent years Laverda also marketed a number of scooters and imported quads.
Massimo Laverda died on October 26, 2005 from cardiac arrest.
Sources: MC Storico Conti, scooterdepoca.com et al
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