Laverda Classic Cars for Sale

Founded in Italy in 1873, Laverda was best known for its robust and innovative motorcycles.

The History of Laverda

Originally founded by Pietro Laverda as a manufacturer of agricultural engines (Laverda S.p.A), the company did not begin to produce motorcycles until over 75 years later when Pietro’s grandson, Francesco Laverda designed and produced a small motorcycle that would go on to become one of the most successful in history.

What began as a small, out of hours project, with some parts even being cast in Francesco’s kitchen, resulted in a 75cc motorcycle that showed so much promise that in 1949 Francesco founded Moto Laverda S.A.S – Dottore Francesco Laverda e Fratelli. Over the next few years, they became well known for producing small capacity machines that were highly durable and innovative.

Over the next twenty years, Laverda gained fame both for both producing racing motorcycles and also street models and scooters such as the Laverdino commuter and the 200cc twin.

In the late 1960’s focus shifted to designing larger machines built around a 650cc parallel twin engine, the first of which was showcased at earls court in November 1966. By 1968 a 750 cc had also been developed, and four were entered into the prestigious Giro d’Italia race, with the 650 achieving a win in its class and all of the bikes finishing in the top 10. Two weeks later the 650 went on sale to the general public.

The introduction of the 750, shortly after, sealed Laverda’s reputation as a big bike manufacturer. In 1969 750 S and 750 GT were produced and throughout the 1970’s Laverda motorcycles continued to be popular for their near indestructible engines and style. The Laverda “SFC series 15,000” featured in the Guggenheim Museums 1999 exhibition “The Art of The Motorcycle” as one of the most iconic bikes of the 70’s

The Decline and Demise of Laverda

Japanese competition meant that in the 1980’s the motorcycle industry in Europe as a whole found itself struggling and as sales fell, the Laverda family bowed out of the company in 1985. There were a number of attempts to save the brand such as a local government initiative that tried to run the company as a co-op and, when that failed, a buy out by the millionaire Francis Tognon who attempted to relaunch the brand. Sadly, this venture failed after five years and, in 2000, Laverda was purchased by Aprilla.

In 2004 the Aprilla group was purchased by Piaggio who decided to cease all activity related to the Laverda brand. Today Laverda no longer exists, but Piaggio has stated that they would be willing to sell the rights to the brand.