Ancillotti Hits a Triple at MISE

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Ancillotti, the leading name in Enduro, Cross, and Trial motorcycles, as well as DownHill MTB bikes, has achieved a notable milestone. The company has made a clean sweep with three of its brands being officially recognized in the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest by the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE).

These three Ancillotti brands are also the first bike and motorcycle brands to be included in the register.

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The Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest: What It Is

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What is the Register of Historic Brands of National Interest? Created in 2019 by MISE, this register includes all Italian brands that have been registered under the same name for at least 50 years and operate within the national territory.

Being listed in the register is highly significant because the accepted brands, besides having their historical importance recognized, can also use the MISE logo featuring Italy for promotional and commercial purposes.

Moreover, brands included in the register have the opportunity to join Amsi, the Italian Association of Historic Brands, founded in 2021 by eight well-known brands, including Benetton.

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Ancillotti: A History That Began in the Early 20th Century

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Ancillotti is a renowned company whose history began in the early 20th century, specifically in 1907. The first seed was planted by Ernesto Ancillotti, who opened a small mechanical repair shop that year.

However, it was Gualtiero, Ernesto's son, who truly founded Ancillotti. He established Ancillotti Elaborazioni Specialità Moto in the San Frediano district of Florence in 1938, which produced some of the most famous motorcycle customizations in Italian history.

Among the notable customizations from Ancillotti Elaborazioni Specialità Moto were modifications to the Harley Davidson WLA and the Lambretta Innocenti.

The Harley Davidson WLA received upgraded suspensions, creating a modern shock absorber system that made the ride more comfortable. The Lambretta Innocenti models, specifically the Lambretta Ancillotti Special 200 c.c. and the Lambretta Ancillotti Super Sprint 250 c.c., made history with records set on the Monza and Elvington circuits.

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The Success of the Scarab and the New Industrial Plant

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In 1968, Ancillotti's workshop produced the revolutionary Scarab models, derived from the Beta Cross Specials. The success of these new models was overwhelming, leading Gualtiero to take a significant step forward.

Leaving the San Frediano customization shop behind, he opened an industrial assembly plant in Sambuca Val di Pesa. Here, he not only continued to customize motorcycles but also created entirely new and original models for Cross, Enduro, and Trial.

The Scarabs became some of the most loved and sought-after models among enthusiasts in the 1960s and 1970s.

Years later, the name Scarab was revived when Ancillotti expanded its production to include DownHill and Enduro MTB bikes.