Benelli: mopeds linked to the history of the brand [VIDEO]

Mopeds in the history of Benelli are the theme of a third video proposed via the Facebook page, edited as indicated by Benelli Historical Register.

Another chapter in a journey spanning over a century

Speaking of mopeds, we start in the period following the Second World War. Already in 1943, returning to the reality of Pesaro, an engine is applied to a bicycle. But it will never be proposed for production. Instead MotoBi, another historic brand from Pesaro, in 1953 he proposed a moped at the Milanese exhibition B44. That is, a bicycle equipped with an oval engine. This too never reached production, as mentioned. We then arrive at 1956 when Benelli developed and produced the first moped equipped with a two-stroke unit from 48 cc, leaving aside the previous experimentation with the bicycle.
In 1959 the Highway Code allowed the development of mopeds with a power of 1 and a half horsepower, a maximum speed of 40 km/h and which could be driven without a license. Meanwhile, taking up the indications provided in the film, towards the end of the 50s the requests for the Leoncino created from 1951 diminished, therefore the new development of 48 cc mopeds allowed the conversion of the production lines for this new type of production.
A further evolution in Pesaro's two-wheeled mobility dates back to 1960, with the advent of the innovative 75 cc Picnic, a four-stroke engine for a high-wheel vehicle branded MotoBi. Just two years later, the same brand proposed a 48 cc moped which, due to its similarity to another example, was called the "small Imperiale".
Times changed again in 1962 with the arrival of the small car, leading Benelli and MotoBi to join forces. From there Luigi Benelli, son of Giuseppe, began to design a series of mopeds which over time captured the attention of several very young people, between '60 e '70. Among the novelties also the small wheel examples signed by both brands, in particular the Motorella example. One of the most made models by Benelli. There was also no lack of attention for the high-wheel models, appreciated in various countries of the Old Continent and overseas. From some of these the "three-speed Benellino" came to life, which allowed the Pesaro group to overcome the difficult period in the 60s.
Times changed again in 1971, with the acquisition of Benelli by the Italian-Argentine entrepreneur Alejandro De Tomaso, more oriented towards large-displacement models. However, other mopeds were made with the advent of five-speed models. Until we arrived in the 80s with one of the first scooters: the S50. An example that inaugurated a new path in the production of scooters of the period between the 80s and 90s. Period of other changes such as a new change of ownership in 1991 to the Pesaro industrialist Giancarlo Selci. Then again an acquisition in 1996 by the Merloni Group and, therefore, in 2006 the transition to the current Chinese QJ Group, as mentioned again on the occasion.

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