The Benelli motorcycle company of Pesaro (Pesaro e Urbino), Marche, Italy was founded in 1911 by the matriarch of the Benelli family, Teresa Benelli, and her sons Antonio (Tonino), Domenico, Filippo, Francesco, Giovanni, and Giuseppe Benelli (1879—1957).
Benelli began as a automobile and motorcycle repair shop, but by 1919, the Benelli Pesaro company built its first motorcycle engine - a 75cc two-stroke motor intended for placement in a bicycle frame. Benelli soon began building 100cc to 250cc SOHC and DOHC four-stroke engines that helped launch the company's racing career.
Benelli Racing Heritage
Beginning in the early 1920s, Antonio Benelli, aka " Tonino the terrible" helped launch Benelli into the racing history books, ultimately winning four Italian championship titles, and dying as the result of a crash in 1937. By 1939, Benelli won the Isle of Man TT in the 250cc class, ridden by an English rider named Edward (Ted) Ambrose Mellors.
1956 Benelli Leoncino 4T
As was the case with many of Italy's motorcycle companies, WWII halted production at Benelli, resuming shortly after the war's conclusion in 1949. It was at this point that brother Giuseppe Benelli decided to start his own company, Motobi of Pesaro.
Benelli initially focused on lightweight motorcycle production, beginning with the Leoncino, or "lion cub," which was produced in 98cc to 125cc two-stroke and four-stroke models.
In 1950, Benelli once-again cemented its Grand Prix motorcycle racing heritage, winning the Isle of Man TT with Italian rider Dario Ambrosini at the helm. In another setback for Benelli, Ambrosini was killed during a practice session at the 1951 French Grand Prix at Albi.
Benelli acquired Giuseppe Benelli's company Motobi, in 1962, incorporating its designs into the Benelli marque. Throughout the 1960s, Benelli won several Italian Championships in the 250cc and 350cc classes, with riders Tarquinio Provini, and Renzo Pasolini who also rode for Aermacchi.
Wards Benelli
During the 1960s and 1970s, Benelli was also marketed in the United States by the chain department store Montgomery Ward (aka "Wards") in Chicago, Illinois. Lower-cost 125, 175, 250 and 360cc motorcycles, scooters and mopeds were also sold under the name "Wards Riverside."
1967 Benelli 250/350 Sport
Montgomery Ward also re-badged models from Bianchi and Motobecane. Benelli also sold a 180cc mini-bike called the Benelli 'Volcano Mini' through J.C. Penney Co.
125cc & 250cc Benelli Wards Riverside
The Benelli 750 Sei (Six) Superbike
By the early 1970s, European manufacturers were facing stiff competition from the multi-cylinder Japanese bikes, so Benelli, along with its Italian counterpart Moto Guzzi, was acquired by De Tomaso Inc., resulting in a series of multi-cylinder Italian bikes.
1974 Benelli 750 Sei
In 1972, Benelli introduced the 750 Sei, a 747cc air-cooled SOHC inline-six whose engine bore a striking resemblance to the Honda 750. The Benelli 750 Sei was produced from 1972 to 1978, which was the same year that Honda introduced their DOHC six-cylinder CBX-6 1000.
1976 Benelli 750 Sei
High price, and low reliability throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s led to the consolidation of Benelli and Moto Guzzi into Guzzi Benelli Moto S.p.A., which was shut down in 1988.
Benelli's Resurrection
In a nostalgic wave that has led to the rebirth of several defunct Italian marques, the Benelli name was reborn by Andrea Merloni in 1995. In its modern incarnation, Benelli focused on its racing heritage, producing the Tornado 900 Tre Super Sport superbike.
2008 Benelli Sport Evo Naked & Tornado 900 Tre (Photos: www.benelli.ca)
In 2002, Benelli was sold to the Chinese company Group Qianjiang, based in t Wenling, China, and the factory was kept in Pesaro e Urbino, Italy.
Benelli Motorcycle Links
Benelli Motobi Club
Benelli History
Benelli Global
Benelli USA
Benelli Canada
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