Ancillotti: The First Italian Motorcycle Brand from Florence in the MISE Special Register

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The Ancillotti Motorcycles brand, with its unmistakable style, has made history in Italian motorcycling.

Founded more than 50 years ago, it is now the first motorcycle and scooter brand to be included in the Special Register of Historical Brands of National Interest established in 2019 by the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE).

Not all companies can be admitted to the register, as there is a fundamental requirement to meet: the brand for which registration is requested must have been registered for at least 50 years.

Ancillotti Motorcycles, whose long history began in 1967, has achieved this milestone and is now listed in the Special Register of Historical Brands with registration number 126.

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Ancillotti: The Origins of the Brand

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To discover the origins of this Florentine company, we need to go quite a way back in time.

In 1907, Ernesto Ancillotti, unaware that he was about to start a historic enterprise, opened a mechanical repair shop.

His son, Gualtiero, inspired by his father's business, followed in his footsteps and, in 1938, established his own workshop in the San Frediano district of Florence. It was there, at Ancillotti Elaborazioni Specialità Moto, that the first modifications of motorcycles and scooters were made, gradually making the name Ancillotti famous.

Notably, among the early modifications were those made to Harley Davidson WLA models. Thanks to his creative spirit, Gualtiero improved the suspensions, making them softer and creating a true shock absorber system.

Following the Harley Davidson WLA, attention turned to the Lambretta Innocenti, whose modifications significantly increased Ancillotti's fame.

In December 1965, the Lambretta Ancillotti Special 200 c.c. Monza set the world speed record in its class with a speed of 172.2 kilometers per hour from a standstill.

Less than a year later, in October 1966, the Lambretta Ancillotti Super Sprint 250 cc Elvington, with its hand-beaten aluminum fairing, achieved two consecutive victories at the Elvington circuit.

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Ancillotti Motorcycles: The Story Continues

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With increased demand and production growth, Ancillotti's fame grew to the point where it led to a company name change. In 1972, it became the Ancillotti Motorcycles S.r.l. that we know today.

The company moved from San Frediano to Sambuca Val di Pesa, in the heart of Chianti, where it established the first chain production facility for industrial manufacturing of its two-wheeled gems, including Off-Road, Cross, and Enduro motorcycles.

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Historic Motorcycles

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Between 1967 and 1986, approximately 40,000 trial, cross, and enduro motorcycles were produced at Ancillotti’s facilities, totaling around a hundred models.

Among the most notable motorcycles is the Scarab, initially developed from a Beta Cross Special and later becoming the flagship model of the Florentine company.

Over the years, particularly during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the "gialle" (yellow) motorcycles from Ancillotti were among the most coveted by young enthusiasts.