Classical spirit and end-of-millennium technology

The glorious 90° V-Twin design was applied to smaller engines and the Guzzi V35 and V50 hit the market, providing a new stepping stone for Moto Guzzi throughout the 1980s.

The same decade also saw the introduction of the "American style" with the "Custom" and "Florida", and partly faired enduro models. Production nevertheless concentrated on two main areas, Gran Turismo and high performance machines, both typifying Moto Guzzi with its reputation for comfortable long distance bikes and history of racing success.

Without a doubt, the most famous of the period’s Gran Turismos was the California. In later models the California was equipped with electronic fuel injection and a three-disc integral braking system with automatic pressure distribution.

The Le Mans, Daytona, Centauro and Sport 1100 on the other hand, embodied Mandello del Lario’s sporting heritage.

All these bikes were equipped with upside down forks, with wheels fixed to the sliding stanchions. This fork design was practically the same as that adopted by Carlo Guzzi over fifty years earlier on the Airone and the Astore and represents an impressive example of the prophetic vision and innovative design that has always been the very essence of Moto Guzzi.

The unmistakable character and style of these eighties machines were echoed in the 1990s by the new California, Nevada and V11 Sport.

As a decade, the 1990s saw a return to classical designs and concepts, revitalised and adapted to meet modern requirements by thorough restyling and technical updating.

Unfortunately, the 1990s also saw Guzzi suffering from a whole series of organisational and ownership changes.

In 1988, Fratelli Benelli and Seimm merged to create Guzzi Benelli Moto (G.B.M. S.p.A. ). The merger led to the Benelli plant being sold off and the closure of Innocenti.

Despite these cutbacks, however, the group’s results for 1993 were again in the red, so the following year De Tomaso Industries Inc. affida il mandato di gestione della G.M.B. S.p.A. handed control of G.B.M. S.p.A. over to Finprogetti.
By early 1996, operations were back in the black, as if to celebrate Moto Guzzi’s 75th birthday. The same year G.B.M. decided to change the company's name back to Moto Guzzi S.p.A.. Finprogetti purchased a large share holding in D.T.I.-De Tomaso Industries.

Then when De Tomaso withdrew from the company in August 1996, D.T.I. assumed the name Trident Rowan Group Inc (TRG).

By the end of 1998, operations at Mandello del Lario were under the control of Mario Tozzi-Condivi, who assumed the role of Managing Director. At the same time, talks began to reach technical agreements with other motorcycle companies, with a sell-out appearing as a distinct possibility. On 14 April 2000 an agreement was signed leading to Moto Guzzi being taken over by Aprilia S.p.A.