A Brief History of the Italian Marque
Manufactured: 1953-1955
Costante Bertoni, born in 1909, worked in the Dansi Workshops and in 1926 he opened a shop in Varese where he sold Gilera motorcycles.
His son Franco worked with him and entered competition, distinguishing himself on a Benelli 250 and winning his first race in Carate Brianza.
With more victories he came to the notice of MV Agusta technicians who engaged him as a rider.
The choice proved wise as Franco Bertoni won the 1950 Italian championship of 1950 giving Cascina Costa its first title.
After competing in more than 200 races and achieving fifty victories, in 1954 Franco Bertoni retired from racing and together with his father managed the motorcycle dealership.
Subsequently, he built a motorcycle equipped with an FBM single-cylinder two-stroke engine of 160cc which developed 7 hp at 5,200 rpm, with a top speed of 95 kph.
Some 200 machines were built, most of which were sold by the Bertoni business in Varese, with an additional fifty units sold by a another motorcycle dealer, Olgiate Comasco.
As with most small manufacturers, the market was restricted to the local area.
Production ended in 1955.
Sources: Moto di Lombardia
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