Manufactured: 1953-1962
Maserati was purchased by Adolfo Orsi in 1937, and post-war the company suffered serious labour disputes resulting, in 1950, in the deaths of several protestors. In 1952 Orsi split the company up between his siblings. His sister, Ida Orsi, took charge of the company which made electronic components, Società Anonima Fabbrica Candele Accumulatori Maserati (FCAM). This part of the company had survived the war years in part by supplying the components required by the Maserati automobile plants to construct electric vehicles.
Obviously a woman of some nous, Ida purchased the well-established Italmoto concern and rebranded their existing models as Maserati. Italmoto had a good sales network, with avenues into markets in Europe, North America and South Africa.
In 1953 the first Maserati-designed motorcycles appeared on the market. The T2 was a single cylinder 123cc two-stroke with three-speed transmission, tubular frame, swing arm rear suspension and capable of 80 km/h. Engines were probably sourced from DKW-Cavani, who was the DKW importer.
With the same frame, the company also produced the 160/T4 model, with a 158cc four-stroke engine and four-speed gearbox and capable of 95 km/h. In 1955, the T2 was fitted with telescopic front forks.
Two more four-strokes were the OHC 250 T4 capable of 120 km/h, and the 175cc S175 which was also quite fast.
In 1956 they introduced 125 and 160cc two-strokes, which joined the existing 175 and 250cc fourstroke models. 50cc models also appeared, of which the sports 50/T2/S and 50/T2/SS were greatly admired by the younger riders, few of whom could afford them. They were extremely fast for the day, capable of 70 to 75 km/h.
A British importer advertised "will reach 110 k.p.h. (approx 70 m.p.h.)", a claim perhaps a tad Trumpian. The story goes that another dealer, Lina of Lina and Guido Borri, exclaimed when the first of the 50s arrived, "What is this ugly toad". It sold so well that before long they were applying toad stickers to the front guard of the 50/T23/SS, which became known as the Rospo (Toad). The Borri family business at Via Mazzini 54, Bologna, continued to provide parts and service to Italmoto and Maserati owners well into the 1970s.
The motorcycle industry suffered badly in the late fifties due to the popularity of light, cheap cars like the Fiat Bambino, and Maserati struggled. Motorcycle production ceased in 1960.
Specifications
Model: L/160/T4 Turismo Lusso
Type: Touring Motorcycle
Production: 1954-1959
Engine Type: Four-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 158cc, 60x56mm, max rpm 6000
Power: 7.5hp at 5500 rpm
Gearbox: 4-speed
Fuel delivery: Dell'Orto Carburettor
Maximum Speed: 100 to 105 km/h
Weight 112 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Red with black highlights
Notes: Modified Italmoto
Specifications
Model: L/125/T2 Turismo Lusso
Type: Light Motorcycle
Production: 1954-1959
Engine Type: Two-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 123cc, 52x58mm, max rpm 5000
Power: 4.8hp at 5000 rpm
Gearbox: 3-speed
Fuel delivery: Carburettor
Maximum Speed: 60-65 km/h
Weight 80 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Red
Specifications
Model:
Type:
Production: 1956-1959
Engine Type: Two-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 49cc, 40mm x 39.5mm, 8.0:1 CR, 6500 max rpm
Power: 2.0 HP at 6000 rpm
Gearbox: 3-speed
Fuel delivery: Dell'Orto T1 13 SA
Maximum Speed: 50 to 55 km/h
Weight 52 kg dry
Colour Scheme:
Specifications
Model: 50/T2/SS Super Sport
Type: Sports/Racing Moped
Production: 1956-1959
Engine Type: Two-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 49cc, 40mm x 39.5mm, 12.0:1 CR, 7300 max rpm
Power: 2.8 HP at 6700 rpm
Gearbox: 3-speed
Fuel delivery: Dell'Orto UA 16 S
Maximum Speed: 70 to 75 km/h
Weight 49 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Blue, white highlights, silver frame
Notes: Frame was quite different to the Sports and Turismo 50cc models.
This model was ridden in competition by Beryl Swain, famed as the first woman to compete solo in an Isle of Man GP race.
Specifications
Model: 50/T2/S Sport
Type: Sports Moped
Production: 1956-1959
Engine Type: Two-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 49cc, 40mm x 39.5mm, 10.0:1 CR, 7000 max rpm
Power: 2.4 HP at 6700 rpm
Gearbox: 3-speed
Fuel delivery: Dell'Orto T4 13 SA
Maximum Speed: 60 to 65 km/h
Weight 52 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Red
Specifications
Model: 50/T2/MT Ciclocarro
Type: Motocarro
Production: 1956-1959
Engine Type: Two-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 49cc, 40mm x 39.5mm, 8.0:1 CR, 6500 max rpm
Power: 2.0 HP at 6000 rpm
Gearbox: 3-speed
Fuel delivery: Dell'Orto T1 13 SA
Maximum Speed: 38 to 40 km/h
Weight 115 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Grey
Notes: Three wheeler with tray at rear, telescopic forks.
Specifications
Model: Turismo Donna (Ladies Touring)
Type:
Production: 1956-1959
Engine Type: Two-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 49cc, 40mm x 39.5mm, 8.0:1 CR, 6500 max rpm
Power: 2.0 HP at 6000 rpm
Gearbox: 3-speed
Fuel delivery: Dell'Orto T1 13 SA
Maximum Speed: 50 to 55 km/h
Weight 50 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Blue
Specifications
Model: 250/T4 GTL
Type: Sports Touring Motorcycle
Production: 1958-1959
Engine Type: Four-stroke unit-construction single cylinder
Engine Specs: 246.5cc, 70x64mm, 5900 max rpm
Power: 12.5hp @ 5350 rpm
Gearbox: 4-speed
Fuel delivery: Dell'Orto Carburettor
Maximum Speed: 115 to 120 km/h
Weight 150 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Red with black cradle frame
Notes: Dual ignition
Specifications
Model: Tipo L/75/T2 Turismo Lusso
Type: Light Motorcycle
Production: 1957-1959
Engine Type: Two-stroke single cylinder
Engine Specs: 74cc, 45.5 x 45.5mm, 7000 max rpm
Power: 4.5 HP at 6500 rpm
Gearbox: 3-speed
Fuel delivery: Carburettor
Maximum Speed: 80 km/h
Weight 65 kg dry
Colour Scheme: Yellow
The Maserati 160/T4 is an Italmoto with a redesigned engine of 158cc capacity. A revised version was built in 1955, the 160/T4/TL.
Specifications
Brand: Maserati
Model: 160 / T4
Type: Tourismo
Year: 1954-1959
Engine Type: Fourstroke
Engine Capacity: 158 cc
Power: 7.5 HP
Gearbox: 4 speed
Maximum Speed: 105 km/h
Colour Scheme: Red
More on the Maserati 160 T4
Sources: MC Storico Conti, Tragatsch, bwgarage.com, Biblioteca Salaborsa.
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