Image source: “Eicma: 110 years of two-wheeled design” exhibition (Eicma 2024; Milan Rho Fiera).
November 2025 (G.T.) – It proudly parades during Moto Guzzi events in Mandello del Lario, its birthplace (and that of all Moto Guzzi bikes since 1921), and at rallies for vintage motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts. It participates in fairs and exhibitions specialising in historic vehicles, and is also the shining star at prestigious auctions, widely appreciated by collectors. It is 75 years old, but certainly doesn’t feel it, and continues to draw deep admiration.
It is, of course, the Moto Guzzi Galletto: launched in the spring of 1950 at the Geneva Motor Show, this bike proved to be a huge commercial success, with over 71,000 units sold by 1966.
Image source, Aste Bolaffi: https://www.astebolaffi.it/it/lot/114/59/detail
The Galletto is brilliant, original, unique: it represents the successful combination of the advantages of a scooter with those of a high-wheel motorbike, with none of their respective disadvantages. Indeed, this bike offers excellent protection for the rider and is easy to handle, with a spare wheel positioned at the front to form an effective bumper.
https://www.facebook.com/MotoclubValchiavenna
The original colour of this model was ivory, followed by “Moto Guzzi” red. But, as Oscar Malugani writes in “La Provincia di Lecco” (12/09/2025), “This decision was dictated by a lack of paint supplies at the time of peak production. When Commendatore Guzzi was asked what should be done, he replied: There's plenty of red paint in the company, let's do it like this.” These colours were followed by green paintwork for vehicles used by the Forest Service, blue, and finally grey for the last version in the range. In addition, as the journalist notes, five Galletti bikes were painted black and provided to the test riders tasked with preceding the Giro d'Italia cyclists back in 1958 - a strategic publicity move that further increased the prestige of the Moto Guzzi Galletto.
(Source: Moto Guzzi Historical Archive).
THE DISPLAY PANEL AT THE MOTO GUZZI MUSEUM IN MANDELLO. GALLETTO (1950-66). Better known as "the priest’s bike", the Galletto – half scooter and half motorcycle – seemed made to satisfy everyone when it made its début in 1954, due to the fact that it combined the practical advantages of both the scooter and the motorcycle to perfection. This high-wheeled bike features an open frame that makes it easy to get into the saddle, protective bodywork, a comfortable and relaxed riding position, a central structure to ensure optimal aerodynamics when cornering, a 4-stroke engine – considered the most reliable in its category at that time – and a spare wheel that made the rider feel more at ease, as punctures were a lot more common back then than they are today.
(Source: Moto Guzzi Historical Archive).
The bike was designed by Carlo Guzzi, who was at the helm of Moto Guzzi at the time: in collaboration with one of his employees, he came up with the idea to provide a spare wheel, positioning it transversely on the front of the scooter shield to offer effective protection in case of accidents.
(Source: Moto Guzzi Historical Archive).
THE DISPLAY PANEL AT THE PIAGGIO MUSEUM IN PONTEDERA.
THE MAIN EVENTS DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING THE 75th BIRTHDAY OF THE GALLETTO.
During the announcement of the 2025 edition of the Città della Moto Guzzi International Motorcycle Rally in Mandello del Lario, the post by the organisers dedicated to the exhibition focused on the Galletto: “Moto Guzzi Galletto. The brilliant vehicle invented by Carlo Guzzi, combining the practicality of a scooter with the robustness and safety of a high-wheel bike, will be celebrated and admired in a dedicated exhibition located in the square, directly in front of the factory where it was created.”
https://www.facebook.com/motoradunomandello/
RALLIES DEDICATED TO THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GALLETTO, TWO DAYS OF CELEBRATIONS
IN CHIAVENNA AND MANDELLO DEL LARIO:
https://guzzi-days.net/it/raduni-moto-guzzi/grande-festa-per-il-raduno-per-i-75-anni-del-galletto/
https://www.facebook.com/MotoclubValchiavenna
