This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more complete listing visit the Portuguese Index.
Aidan
Manufactured by D. Silva Lda. Sangalhos-Anadia, Aveiro.
Beginning in 1965 the firm built 50cc machines powered by Zundapp and Casal engines.
Source: OTTW
Aliança
Garagem Aliança of RD Antonio Barroso 95, Barcelos, Braga.
During the 1960s built light motorcycles powered by 98cc Sachs engines housed in conventional frames with swinging arm rear suspension and telescopic forks.
The company is believed to exist in the same location, now as a car amd motorcycle rental firm.
Source: OTTW
Alifort
Manufactured by Motorizada Alifort Lda of Barcelos, Braga.
The firm built lightweight motorcycles powered by Casal 125cc two-stroke engines, beginning production in 1980.
Source: OTTW
Alma 1947
Anfesa 1981-1995
ASV
Based in Olivera Do Bairro, Anseve was run by Armando de Vela Sousa. The company re-badged machines from several domestic manufacturers including Macal. Models included the ASV M70 and the ASV-Macal.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Celestino
Manufactured by Celestino Duarte in Torres Vedras, the machines used frames and componentry from EFS and Famel, and engines from Zundapp and Casal. The machines were painted in the colours of various football clubs and this proved a successful marketing ploy.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Confersil
Constantino Ferreira da Silva, who previously worked with Macal, built copies of the Macal bicycles. In 1947 he began importing Ducati Cucciolo engines which were fitted to his own frames.
Models include: 204, 404, 504SS, 504SS Sport, 604GT, 604GT 6V (alloy wheels), Cross Especial, Dina 104, Maxi 104, Enduro 50, and GT304.
Sources: Ribatejo Moto Clube; motorizadas50nacionais.blogspot.com
Diana 1953
EFS
Founded in 1911 at Borralha, Agued by Eurico Ferreira Sucena as a bicycle workshop, the first mopeds were produced in 1952. By 1969 exports had begun to Africa, Europe and the US. The firm fitted engines from a variety of suppliers including Cucciolo, Sachs, Kreidler, Zündapp, Derbi, Yamaha and Minarelli.
Models include M125 Puch, EFS 120 Derbi 50ccc, 220M Sport Casal 50cc and many others.
Source: Motos de Portugal
See also Motoesa
Faster
Manufactured in Lisbon, three models were built using 7-speed Sachs 125cc engines. Luís Gomes, Pedro Gigante and Mário Dias were the principals.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Fundador 1967-c.1999
Gazela
Manufactured by Sangalhos (SIS) possibly using Italian Tansini engines.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Marvil
Established in 1946, bicycle firm Castros & Moura, Lda were based in the factory previously occupied by Fausto de Carvalho (Diana and FC) in Sangalhos. They produced the brands Marvil and Glória, which were mostly rebadged machines from other manufacturers including Raleigh.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Masac
The firm Marcelino dos Santos e Companhia, Lda was created in 1993 in Poutena, Anadia to market imported bicycles, motorcycles and accessories.
Models include: 203 C Belita, 202 Mini Tuxa, MX3, 406 Tuxa 72, Tricarro DF 50 CM2, 409 (70 & 71.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Mavico
Manufactured by Mourisotam, marketed by Mavico in Lisbon.
José Joaquim Madeira, Bicicletas Motorizadas, LDA.
The name EFS is also associated with the brand, but this may be the manufacturer of the metalwork, in particular the fuel tank.
Sources: motopecasnacionais.blogspot.com, rodasdeviriato.blogspot.com, et al
Mayal
Based in Aveiro, the firm of Dr. Lourenço Peixinho rebadged a number of Porguguese brands with their own marque.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Messilfer
Silva Ferreira rebranded several machines as Messilfer, a partial anagram of his name. Some machines were branded FBM (Fábrica de Produtos Metálicos) - these were Famel frames with a JLO engine.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Miralago
Manufactured by Empresa Ciclista Miralago, S.A with head office at Vale do Grou - ÁGUEDA
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Mopede
This was the brand of João Casal, who went on to found Casal.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Mourisotam
Based at Mourisca do Vouga in Águeda, the firm produced the Mourisotam Gury and also sold copies of
Santamaria motorcycles, probably rebadged.
Principals of the firm were Mourisca and Matos, the marque being formed from their names.
Source: Motos de Portugal
MVM
Manufactured by Indústria e Design de Veiculos, Lda
Engines were sourced from Fantic in Italy, including a 6-speed model built specifcally for MVM.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Nacional SMC
Principals of the firm were Manuel Calheiro Seixas, José Silvestre de Freitas and Augusto Maia. Production began in the 1930s in Lisbon, and they later moved to the premises now occupied by RTP.
Two machines were built, a 500 Turismo and 500 Sport, both powered by JAP engines driving through a Sturmey-Archer gearbox in the Sport and an Albion in the road model. They had Webb forks and rigid rear suspension.
The venture was not a great success and closed after just a few years, with total production quite low, perhaps only four units. Manuel Seixas moved to Brazil where he designed for the automobile firm Puma.
The SMC is the largest capacity motorcycle ever produced in Portugal. It features on a postage stamp from 2007, and a photograph of a restored example graces the cover of the book "Motos Antigas em Portugal".
Sources: Ribatejo Moto Clube; motosdoseculoxx.blogspot.com
Narvik
Manufactured by Armazéns Mieiro e Filhos, Lda, founded in 1942 in Sangalhos, Aveiro as a bicycle firm. Motorcycle construction began in the early 1960s using 50cc engines from Sachs and possibly from JLO. Drive chains were fully enclosed.
Sources: Ribatejo Moto Clube; OTTW
OSP
The company produced a variety of models powered by Sachs engines.
Models include: Principe, Sport, Cruiser, Dover, Giant, Marshal, Feline, Spada, Popular, Spada Giant and Sport Carrier,
Source: Motos de Portugal
Perfecta
Manufactured by by Vilarinho and Sons, Ltd. (Vilar) who built motorcycles of this brand powered by Demm, Zundapp and Villiers engines.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Rápida
Manuel José Barros built his first bicycle in the 1930s, and started a small bicycle factory in the 1940s. In the 1950s he began building Cucciolo-powered mopeds, aided by his brother who ran the foundry. Some of the Vilar Cucciolo models used Rapido frames. Moped production ceased towards the end of the the 1950s, but bicycle production continued at the same location well into the 21st century.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Rensak
Renato Santos rebranded Forvel and Confersil motorcycles as Rensak. Models inlcuded the Acor.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Rosengar
The company Sucena e Faria do Porto marketed rebranded machines from other manufacturers.
Source: Motos de Portugal
SIS 1964-1996
Sirla
Manufactured by Sociedade Indústrial do Randam. Vale do Grou, Águeda
Source: Motos de Portugal
SO4
António Mendes of Barreiro, a man of considerable mechanical talent, designed and built four 95cc motorcycles in his workshop. Two survive.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Sotam
Sotam-Fabrica de Acessorios Para Bicicletas e Motorizadas Lda based in Mourisca do Vouga.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
Stamir
Antonio Soares Mirand developed racing and motocross motorcycles, along with competition engines, frames and exhausts. His 50cc machines achieved excellent results.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Titan
Manufactured by by Vilarinho and Sons, Ltd (Vilar) using Zundapp engines. Models included the Titan Nobilis.
Source: Motos de Portugal
UCCG
Manufactured by União Ciclista do Campo Grande Lda, the Lisbon company built three-wheeled utility vehicles (tricarros) using 4-speed engines. Distributed by Marcelino dos Santos, models included 350CF 50A, DF50CM 2PEQ, DF50CM 2C, 21CF50 and DF50CM2 Grand.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Ulisses
Manufactured by Indústrias Reunidas Ulisses, established 1961. Based in Angola, the firm was nationalised after that country's indedependance. They used engines from Sachs and later Yamaha.
Source: Motos de Portugal
Veneza 1960s
Zig
Established 2004 and marketed by Interguincho, these are motorcycles built using Chinese components. Some may have Japanese engines built in China under licence.
Source: Ribatejo Moto Clube
If you have a query about about Portuguese motorcycles, please contact us
Several marques formerly on this list have been moved to Obscure Portuguese Marques
