A Brief History of the Marque
Manufactured 1948-1955
Alfredo Focesi was one of the pioneers of cycling in Italy and his Gloria bicycles were famous for decades.
Established in the 1920s, the Focesi workshops were situated in Viale Abruzzi in Milan.
The AMF Gloria micromotor had a displacement 40cc; this was increased to 48cc by changing the bore from 35 to 38 mm.
In 1949 the company built the Gloria 3M moped with three-speed gearbox and swing-arm suspension. The engine was mounted on the swinging arm, scooter style. These were available in Normale, Lusso and Sport versions. For 1951, they advertised the 48cc Bicimotore Gloria, a moped with the engine mounted at the base of the frame triangle, centred between the pedals.
They also built a micromotor-powered machine with a pressed steel frame, marketed under the name Pulcino.
In 1953, added to the range was a lightweight motorcycle, the Gloria 100, with an OHV 98cc engine and three-speed gearbox mounted in a pressed metal frame, in Turismo and Sport models.[1] These were fitted with a dual seat, deeply valanced guards and a headlight nacelle blending into the tank.
Focesi had been a strong supporter of fascism. This did not help him after the war, his fortunes abated, and he died by his own hand in Milan. [This is not completely accurate - see the excellent article at icenicam.]
"For the 1954 exhibition in Milan, Focesi introduced a new 160cc four-stroke engined motor cycle, with swinging arm rear suspension and an Earles pattern front fork.
The choices linked to the expansion of the business, however, failed to return its investments in time because of insufficient sales and, on 21st February 1955, the Milan court declared the AMF Gloria business bankrupt. Production ceased in 1955." ~ icenicam.org.uk
Sources: Moto di Lombardia, Wikipedia, MC Storico Conti, milanoneisecoli.blogspot.com, Tragatsch p138, Icenicam
Notes.
1. Four-speed gearboxes may also have been listed.
This firm is not related to Intramotor
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