The “Guzzino 65” put Italy in the saddle

Racing models such as the Dondolino,Gambalunga, Condor and Albatros were also developed for private riders.

The technological evolution continued. In 1939, the Airone 250 was introduced with a pedal-controlled four speed gearbox. It was to become Italy’s most popular medium-powered motorcycle. Experiments were carried out with supercharging with the “250 Compressore” which won the “Freccia Azzurra”, a prize awarded to bikes holding both the one hour and kilometre records simultaneously.

The Second World War was drawing close, but even in these circumstances, the ingenuity and adaptability of Moto Guzzi designers made their presence felt, designing the legendary Trialce, an original three-wheeler that could be quickly disassembled and reassembled, designed to be dropped by parachuted.
The Alce sidecar with driving wheel on the outside was also fitted with an original torsion bar to avoid leaning and loss of control on bends.

After the war, the tastes and trends of the public changed. The motorcycle was no longer a vehicle for a chosen few, reserved for an elite of skilful expert riders. It became a means of transport for everyday use, even for commuting to work. A change of use which was reflected in the design strategy of constructors who orientated their designs towards agile low-powered bikes, inexpensive to purchase and run.

In line with the spirit of the times, Moto Guzzi gave the market its first twin, the Guzzino 65. A curious fact, the initial price of 80,000 lire doubled rapidly as a result of inflation. Spartan and practical, 50,000 were sold in three years, setting a new Italian record. Extraordinarily long-lived, under the new name of Cardellino, it went through a second youth during the 1950s.