ASI at the Guzzi World Days 2022: the 1959 Cobra among the historic examples of the Aquila

On the occasion of the Guzzi World Days and International motorbike rally in Mandello del Lario (Lecco), enthusiasts of Moto Guzzi they find themselves in the city that hosts the plant where the L'Aquila motorbikes take shape. Mandello del Lario once again becomes the focal point of a passion. Among those present also theHistoric Italian Automotoclub with an official stand where there are some vintage Moto Guzzi models.

A passion that is renewed

Among the moments highlighted by ASI stands out that of the official inauguration of the event scheduled for the evening at 20 pm, at the Cinema Teatro De Andrè with the viewing of the reportage "Journey to the Motor Cities", which also includes a visit to the ASI headquarters in Turin, in Villa Rey. Another screening should also be noted, in this case of the docufilm "The courage to go beyond", planned for Friday 30 September at 9 pm in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci.
In front of the main entrance of the Moto Guzzi, in via Parodi 57, there is the official stand of the Automotoclub Storico Italiano, as mentioned. Some historic and prestigious examples of the brand such as the Sport 14 of the 1929 and the Sport 15 from 1933 used by the Carabinieri and the Municipal Police of Florence; but also the “500” racing prototype of 1951 enriched by solutions taken from Dondolino and Gambalunga, therefore still the Daytona 1000 “4 valves” from 1997. The badge is also present among the models Cobra of the records of 1959. It is not a motorbike, but a four-wheeled vehicle with which speed records were set. One of the immediately obvious features is the flat and flattened layout, furthermore in the rear area without differential there are two wheels rather close together. The Moto Guzzi Cobra took shape from a project by engineer Giulio Carcano, supported by Enrico Cantoni and engineer Ermanno Bazzocchi from Aermacchi. It features a Guzzi 250 engine with compressor and can be driven lying down given the minimal ground clearance.
Way back in June 1959, on the stretch of Autostrada del Sole between Parma and Reggio Emilia, four world speed records were set and the specialist Gino Cavanna was behind the wheel, as remembered.

Photo: ASI – Automotoclub Storico Italiano