A Brief History of the Italian Marque1953-1956
Amos Ferrari worked with Parilla and developed considerable skills.
Amos and his brother, with the aid of a wealthy Milanese businessman, formed La Meccanica Italiana s.r.l. with headquarters at Bessarion 15, a few hundred metres from the headquarters of Parilla.
The first motorcycle was a 125 cc two-stroke and is clearly inspired by Parilla, both in chassis and engine, so much so that some parts are perfectly interchangeable with those of the motorcycles from the Via Oglio company.
Technically, however, there are important differences. Ferrari equipped its motorcycles with a four-speed gearbox (compared to three speeds in the Parilla 125 ) and with the gearshift pedal unusually positioned to the left, following German practice.
In Italy, in the fifties, the motorcycles all have the gear lever on the right side, with the exception of Ferrari, AeroCaproni, and all machines fitted with German engines.
Displayed at the Milan Show of 1952 is the Ferrari 150 Lusso Sport and Super Sport versions, the latter with a 160cc engine.
The following year they abandoned the 125 and all production was focused on 150 cc models.
At the Salon of 1954 they exhibited in the 125 four-stroke Turismo Lusso category an interesting twin-cylinder SOHC 175 with chain driven cams, along with Granturismo two-stroke 150 and 175cc models. Also in the catalogue is a motofurgoncini with a 175 two-stroke engine and transmission via cardan.
Three-wheeled motorcycle-based light utility vehicle
Synonyms: motocarro, motofurgoncini, motofurgone, motofurgoni (plural), triporteur, trimoteur.
Related to Forecars
The four-stroke was a brave but somewhat risky choice as the costs of production, especially the twin-cylinder engine, are high. The small Milan company, despite the excellent craftsmanship, fails to overcome the crisis and closes on November 15, 1955.
Fratelli Ferrari refers to the two brothers who formed the Ferrari motorcycle firm and is the name to which it was changed in 1953 after being challenged by the famous sport car manufacturer. Thereafter the motorcycles were marketed as Fratelli Ferrari.
Scuza Itanglish
Sources: Moto di Lombardia
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