Aprilia Classic Cars for Sale

Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer that is best known for its success in the field of road racing. The company has been under the ownership of Piaggio since 2004.

The History Of Aprilia

Aprilia was founded just after the Second World War as a bicycle factory in Noale, Italy by Alberto Beggio. It wasn’t until Alberto’s son Ivano took over the company in the 1960's that Aprilia began to make a move into manufacturing motorcycles, producing their first 50cc model in 1968. Aprilia then went on to produce a line of mopeds including the popular Daniela and Colibri models. Over the next decade, the company also began to branch out into producing trail bikes, with their first motocross offering, the 50cc Scarabeo, produced in 1970. As the 1970’s went on, the Scarabeo was further developed to introduce a 125cc version, with the original Scarabeo remained in production up until the end of the 1970’s.

Mopeds and scooters are still a part of Aprilias line up to this day, with a new model launched in the 1990's bearing the Scarabeo name, a large diameter wheel scooter available from 50cc up to 500cc, and also models such as the Leonardo and SportCity. However, it is with the manufacture of racing bikes that Aprilia found its fame.

Aprilia’s Racing Success

Aprilias first taste of racing success came when, in 1977, Ivan Alborghetti won the Italian 125cc and 250cc motocross championships on Aprilias. Following this victory, Aprilia continued to develop competition machines and in 1981 launched the TL320 trials machine.

During the 1980’s, this success continued as Loris Reggiani came sixth in the Road Racing World championship on an Aprilia GP 250 and achieved first place at the first World Speed Championship at the 1987 San Marion Grand Prix on an AF1 250.

The 1990’s saw more wins for Aprilia with the launch of the RS250V in 1991. Three victories were secured with the RS250V that year including one with Max Biaggi at the European 250 championship. 1991 was also a successful year in the 125 class, with Alessandria Gramigni scoring Aprilias first victory in this class in Czechoslovakia.

As the 1990’s went on, Aprilia became a force to be reckoned with, with an impressive number of wins under their belt including 16 European speed titles and 15 Road Racing World Championships. This success has continued throughout the 2000’s, and 2010’s, with Aprilia currently holding the record for the most wins of any European Manufacturer with 294 Grand Prix wins in the Road Racing World Championship.