Moto Morini Classic Cars for Sale

Founded by Alfonso Morini in 1937, Moto Morini enjoyed considerable success with stylishly designed, powerful motorcycles, particularly the 1960's record-breaking 250 Racer, whose incredible speed of 141mph/227kmh has never been equalled.

The Beginning Of Moto Morini

The company's first models were in fact, 350cc and 500cc three wheelers that had innovative Cardan driveshafts and were extremely economic with fuel. When production resumed after World War Two, Moto Morini, with an angular eagle logo, unveiled in 1946, the T125, which featured a two stroke, single cylinder engine with a brand new three speed transmission. The following year a sport version was launched. Always in pursuit of elegance and perfection, Moto Morini continued to develop the capabilities of their motorcycles, creating the T125cc pushroll OHV four stroke engine. By 1958, Moto Morini had developed the 250 GP Double camshaft and added several superior models including the 175 Sprint F3 Corsa of 1959, the Gran Turismo, the Briscola, the 175 Settebello 'Short Rods' and the Tresette Sprint.

The Speed Of Moto Morini

Moto Morini excelled on the racetrack, winning the 1948 Italian Championship lightweight category with the 125 Competition which had a two stroke engine. The following year, Moto Morini succeeded again with the stylish 125 SOHC four stroke that reached a maximum speed of 87mph/140km, a model which went on to win both the Spanish Grand Prix and the Nations Grand Prix. Their most celebrated model, the Moto Morini 250 GP Racer featured a single cylinder 250cc engine that produced 38hp (28KW) at 11,000rpm and won the Italian Championship of 1961 and 1962 with speeds of up to 141mph/227kmh, a capability which remains unsurpassed in the 250 class to this day.

Innovative Designs Of Moto Morini

By the 1970's, the company introduced the Sport and the Strada, both with 350cc engines followed in 1977 by 500cc versions. The classic Moto Morini Three-and-a-half GT Strada was one of their most technologically advanced designs, featuring a crankshaft made from a single piece of forged steel with a small toothed belt drive. Other features included a duplex swingarm frame, an electronic ignition and a combustion engine fitted into the piston crown ensuring a precise, confident performance.

The Decline Of Moto Morini

The 125H (1975), 250T (1978) and the KJ 125 single (1985) were largely unsuccessful. The production of the Kanguro 350 (1983) and Excalibur 350 and 500 (1986) began to be disrupted by industrial disputes and the company went into serious decline, introducing their last models, the Dart 350 (1988), Coguaro and New York Cruiser in 1989. By 1996, Moto Morini had ceased trading. Revivals have since been attempted with current 1187cc models, the Granpasso and Scrambler.