Moto Parilla

1949 THE DECISION

We can't say now if the change from handcraft factory to real industry was a necessary step, we can only suppose that the increasing of the production to satisfy more customers should have been a suffered and pondered decision.
Anyway the desire and the bravery to try this following step, were an unique occasion to crown Giovanni's dreams.

The PRODUCTION STARTED on assembly lines with a prototype which was shown at the "Cycle and Motorcycle Show" in Milan in November 1947, designed by the engineer Salmaggi. It was a popular motorcycle, very much desired by the market, but, as the models before, a very innovative one.

THE 250cc TWO STROKE

This project, signed by the engineer SALMAGGI, was still a 250cc. engine, but now it was 2-stroke.
The market was talking about the rear suspension without shock absorbers and of course about the carburettor which there was not, or at least seemed not to be mounted, due to the fact that it was located inside the crankcase, and also about the rear fender, built in double metal, so strong that it could bear the weight of a passenger, without a frame below.
The magazines EXULTED. "Motociclismo" magazine wrote that finally a people's motorcycle was born, actual and cheap. "La Moto" magazine wrote the same remarks, defining the new Parilla 250 a real jewel, intended to be the long awaited people's motorcycle.

THE GOAL

In 10 month time, the Company changed from handcraft company to industry. Unbelievable. The motorcycles were rolling off the production's lines regularly.
The new 250cc. 2-stroke was sold with a new rear suspension, improved by two very angled shock absorber's springs. Otherwise the motorcycle was the same as the prototype.

THE SPORT

Regarding the sport, we like to point up about a record. It appeared in "La Moto" magazine, confirming how much the Parilla 250cc. 4-stroke was performing:

"The rider Munnia, with his powerful Parilla motorbike took the lead of the race at lap 5, and flow to the finish line, pulling off the rest of the field. The Parilla Company, with his model 250cc Competition, has attained world wide recognition. The rider Munnia on his Parilla motorbike seemed unbeatable. The rider looks monotonous, due to so many consecutive victories. So it is, so be it".

Moto Parilla

Guerino Munnia, 1949

Moto Parilla

Guerino Munnia, 1949

1950 THE 98cc TWO STROKE

The 1950 was marked by a radical reversal trend. Together with the engineer Alfredo Bianchi it was developed a very popular and economic project. A small motorcycle, very simple and very conventional, with a price in line with the competing companies. A 98cc. 2-stroke sold at Lit.165.000. Nothing special, nevertheless it was a great commercial success, so great that the Company added new assembling lines, and employed n.70 workers more.
The Singleshaft and Twinshaft 250cc. motorbikes were still assembled with a craftsman system, to give top customizations to the most exigent customers.

THE SPORT

The 1950 gave great satisfactions as races' results. Among the several victories, we like to remember the most prestigious one, riched by the "factory motorbike 250cc. Twinshaft". The VICTORY at the best, longest and hardest sprint race in Italy: the "MILANO-TARANTO".

Moto Parilla

Piero Cavaciuti, 1950

The motorbike which would win this road race, would obtain a huge advertising. Along the 1300 Km.race, the motorbike and the rider were subject to a tremendous effort: riding 14 hours (five hours night time) full speed, without any knowledge about the road's conditions and about the other riders performances.
A FANTASTIC VICTORY for the rider PIERO CAVACIUTI and his Parilla 250cc. “Twinshaft”, running Km.1325 at the average speed of Km/h 88,81.

Moto Parilla

P. Cavaciuti, Milano-Taranto, 1950

1951 THE 125cc TWO STROKE

The 125cc. 2-stroke was born with the model "Sport" and "Touring". This new 125cc. 2-stroke showed a three speed gearbox handled by hand. It is practically a 98cc 2-stroke with a longer fuel tank, aluminum wheels and narrow handlebar. The performances increased much with the new bigger displacement, and the new racing look, together with the nice red color, got a great response from customers. In the meantime, there was a growing market's sector still disregarded: the one of young people.

MORE INVESTMENTS

The workers were now n. 120.
In 1951 Giovanni also bought the very famous bicycle's company "WILIER TRIESTINA".
The production of the glorious bicycles driven by KOBLET, BEVILACQUA and MAGNI didn't stop, and together with these, the Parilla Company started the production of frames, forks and other parts for motorcycles, which were sent then to Milan, after a treatment of rust proof paint.

THE SPORT

Coming the spring, the races started again, and the new 125cc. 2-stroke had to show his performances. In the National and International races, the Company got many important victories.

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Herman Gablenz, 1950

The most important was the one in Germany where the Parilla "TWINSHAFT" 350cc WON class 1 Sprint National Champs with the German rider ROLAND SCHNELL. To run the class 350cc, the "Twinshaft" 250cc was revised and rebored to 350cc. Roland's friend, the rider HERMAN GABLENZ won the "International Madrid Gran Prix" on the "TWINSHAFT" 250cc. Gablenz won in the 1950 the German Champs in the 250cc. class, and Schnell won in the 1951 the German Champs in the 350cc. class, and those results gave to Parilla Company a huge appreciation by the German motorcycles' enthusiasts. An appreciation still alive and may be bigger.

The small 125cc. 2-stroke won the "GOLD MEDAL" at the XXVI "SIX DAYS International" in Varese, conquering the press and the public with the English rider OLGA KEVELOS, who stood up to all the best riders on his 125cc. 2-stroke till the fourth day, when she had to retire due to a crash.

Moto Parilla

Olga Kevelos, 1950

Moto Parilla

Luigi Ciai, 1951

THE DECISION

Suddenly the Company announced the official retirement from the races in the middle of April, leaving to the Parilla riders the commitment in racing without the Company support. The man who decided this hard step was the commercial general manager, Mr. Mario Ciacci, a man of great wit, who considered more important to spend the most effort in the production, in order to satisfy the increasing orders.

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1952 THE SCOOTER AND THE BULLDOG

The new entry in the Parilla production was a SCOOTER. Powered by the 125cc. 2-stroke engine, same as the "Touring" 125cc. model, handled gears by rotary knob with n.3 selections, a tube's frame, metal sheets body, interchangeable 12'' wheels removable with pin. His name was "LEVRIERE". It was the first time that a Parilla motorcycle was named with a breed of dog. Also the updated 250cc. 2-stroke was named "BOXER".
The 98cc. 2-stroke rolled off the production, and his place was taken by the 125cc two stroke. Almost all models were updated. Only the 125cc. 2-stroke was unchanged. The frame of the 125cc. 2-stroke "Sport" was modified in the connecting of the rear forks and the handling of gears by pedal.
Completely new the 125cc. 2-stroke "LUSSO".
The frame of the 250cc. 4-stroke "SINGLESHAFT" and "TWINSHAFT" were changed. It was born the new "MOTOCARRO" (Three-Wheeler) 125cc. 2-stroke named "BULLDOG", which was showing the engine location fixed over the front wheel. The Three-Wheeler 250cc. 2-stroke was fully updated, cooled by forced air and named "MASTINO".

THE SPORT

Even if the Parilla Company wasn't participating directly at any race, a great victory happened in 1952. It was the SECOND VICTORY at the most important sprint race: the "MILANO-TARANTO". This time the rider was CELESTE CAVACIUTI, Piero's brother, winner in the year 1950.