Gilera

From Free net encyclopedia

Gilera is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in Milan in 1909 by Guiseppe Gilera.

Gilera is presently owned by Piaggio (maker of Vespa scooters), who unexpectedly closed the Gilera factory at Arcore in 1993, ending 84 years of motorcycle manufacturing there. However, Piaggio retains the rights to the Gilera name.

Gilera was the first manufacturer to produce and race a transverse in-line 4 cylinder engine. The 1937 Gilera CNA Rondine four-cylinder, 500cc racer won the race at Monza in 1937 and dominated the races of 1939. Even in 1946 it won one race. Gilera dominated Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the 1950s. Facing a downturn in motorcycle sales in the late 1950s, Gilera made a gentleman's agreement with the other Italian motorcycle makers to quit Grand Prix racing as a cost cutting measure after the 1957 season.

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