Ancillotti: First in Bikes and Motorcycles at MISE
Ancillotti is an Italian company renowned for its Enduro, Trial, and Cross motorcycles, as well as its MTB bikes for Enduro and DownHill, with a history dating back to the early 20th century.
Always a symbol of Italian excellence, Ancillotti has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first motorcycle and bike company to have three of its brands entered into the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest by the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE).
Historic Ancillotti Bikes and Motorcycles in the MISE Register
Ancillotti, Ancillotti Motorcycles, and Ancillotti Scarab are the three brands from the famous Florentine company that have been included in the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest, created by the Ministry of Economic Development in 2019 and registered under numbers 29, 126, and 128.
Why is this achievement so important? What is the significance of being listed in the MISE register?
The register aims to bring together all Italian brands that have been registered under the same name for at least fifty years. Being listed in the register means having the historical importance of your brand recognized.
By becoming part of the register, Ancillotti has earned the right to use the "Historic Brands of National Interest" logo for commercial or promotional purposes.
Ancillotti: The Story of a Success
The history of Ancillotti begins in Florence in 1907, when Ernesto opened a mechanical repair workshop.
Thirty-one years later, Ernesto's son Gualtiero opened his own workshop, but this one was not dedicated to repairs. Located in the San Frediano district of Florence, Ancillotti Elaborazioni Specialità Moto, as the name suggests, was dedicated to customizations.
Many Ancillotti customizations have gone down in history. Among them are the modifications made to the Harley Davidson WLA model. By working on the suspension, Gualtiero made these two-wheeled giants much more comfortable to ride and safer, thanks to the creation of a modern shock absorber system.
Another great success was the customization of the Lambretta Innocenti. Two in particular made history: the Lambretta Ancillotti Special 200 c.c., which in 1965 set a speed record in its class with a standing start, and the Lambretta Ancillotti Super Sprint 250 c.c. The latter achieved two records that remain unbeaten to this day: the launched quarter-mile and the standing kilometer.
The Scarab and the New Industrial Plant
In 1968, the first Scarabs were born, created from the customization of some Beta Cross Specials. The success of these motorcycles was so great that it pushed Gualtiero to leave the world of customizations to focus on manufacturing motorcycles.
Ancillotti's first industrial assembly line plant was established in Sambuca Val di Pesa. Here, unforgettable and highly successful models of Cross, Enduro, and Off-Road motorcycles were produced. Among them, the Scarabs were the most loved and sought after by young motorcycle enthusiasts, especially in the 1960s and 1970s.
Bikes and the 2000s
Ancillotti's success continued over the years, leading the company in 1990 to expand its production to include bikes. The Scarab MTB models for Enduro and DownHill were highly successful, with the latest model, the Scarab EVO 29 HD, winning a world title in 2021.
As for motorcycles, in 2009 the Ancillotti 125 G.A. Cross was born, produced in only four units.