Ancillotti Scarab: The Historic Brand in the Register of the Ministry of Economic Development

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When talking about Ancillotti Scarab, one can't help but think of the motorcycles that many young people in the 1960s and 1970s dreamed of owning. However, Scarab also refers to the high-performance MTB bicycles for Downhill and Freeride, produced from the late 1980s to the present.

Ancillotti is a historic brand with a long and successful legacy, having significantly contributed to the history of Italian two-wheelers.

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Ancillotti Scarab in the Special Register of Historic Trademarks of MISE

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Ancillotti Scarab is undeniably a historic brand, and this isn't just an opinion; it's confirmed by the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE), which included it in the Special Register of Historic Trademarks of National Interest under registration number 128.

Only trademarks that have been registered under the same name for at least fifty years are eligible for inclusion in this register.

Brands listed in the register can use the "Historic Trademark of National Interest" logo, featuring a stylized image of Italy. Additionally, they have the opportunity to join AMSI, the Italian Association of Historic Trademarks, founded in June 2021 by eight major brands, including Inghirami, Antinori, and Benetton.

Ancillotti Scarab is not only listed in the Special Register of Historic Trademarks of National Interest, but it is also the first Italian motorcycle and bicycle brand to be included in this prestigious register.

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The Scarab of Florence

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The name "Ancillotti Scarab" not only refers to the scarab beetle but also features it in the figurative trademark.

The idea came to Gualtiero Ancillotti in 1967 while he and his two sons were testing modified motorcycles along Viale delle Cascine. In the nearby park stands a pyramid-shaped building, the Ghiacciaia de’ Medici, built in 1796.

Above the entrance to this unique structure is a bas-relief of a flying scarab with outstretched wings.

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The Brand's History

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The history of the Ancillotti brand begins in 1907 when Ernesto Ancillotti, Gualtiero's father, opened the first mechanical workshop. In 1938, Gualtiero decided to carry on the family passion and opened a modification workshop, Ancillotti Elaborazioni Specialità Moto, in the San Frediano district of Florence.

Among the first modifications that brought the Ancillotti name to prominence were those made to Harley Davidson WLA motorcycles. Gualtiero, with his remarkable ingenuity, modified the suspension system, making the ride smoother with an innovative shock absorption system.

The first major successes came between 1965 and 1966 with modifications to the Lambretta Innocenti. Two models, in particular, the Lambretta Ancillotti Special 200 c.c. and the Lambretta Ancillotti Super Sprint 250 c.c., set significant World Records on the Monza and Elvington circuits, which remain unbeaten to this day.

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The Scarab

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A subsequent successful creation was the "Scarab." The very first models were born in 1968 from modifications to the Beta Cross Special, but Gualtiero soon decided to transition from simple modifications to full motorcycle production.

In 1972, he opened a manufacturing plant in Sambuca Val di Pesa for the industrial production of Enduro, Cross, and Off-Road motorcycles.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Ancillotti's Scarab motorcycles were among the most beloved and desired by young people.

In the late 1980s, Ancillotti embarked on a new adventure, also dedicating itself to the production of competition bikes. Among these are the Scarab MTB bikes for Enduro and Downhill.

The latest models include the Ancillotti Scarab EVO 29 and the very latest prototype, the Scarab EVO 29 DH, which won a World Championship in 2021 with Sophie Riva of the Ancillotti Factory Team.