Not Only Bicycles: Ancillotti Motorcycles Also Distinguishes Itself in the World of Two Wheels

Ancillotti Motorcycles is indeed the first Italian motorcycle and scooter brand to be listed in the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest maintained by the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE).

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The MISE and the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest

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Ancillotti Motorcycles is listed in the Special Register of Historic Brands with the registration number 126.

The Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest is a list established by the Ministry of Economic Development in April 2019. It includes brands that have made significant contributions to the history of Italian entrepreneurship. Only brands that have been registered for at least 50 years with the same name can apply for inclusion in the register. Once included, these brands can use the “Historic Brand of National Interest” logo and join AMSI.

AMSI, the Italian Historic Brands Association, was founded on June 8, 2021, by eight major historic brands, including Converse Italia and Benetton.

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Ancillotti Motorcycles: The Figurative Brand

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The figurative mark of Ancillotti Motorcycles features a scarab with open wings. This symbol was inspired by the bas-relief on the portal of the so-called Pyramid de' Medici, or the Ghiacciaia delle Cascine, designed by Giuseppe Manetti in 1796 and located in the Cascine Park in Florence. Reworked appropriately, the scarab from the icehouse became the emblem of the historic Ancillotti Motorcycles brand.

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Ancillotti: The Origins

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In 1938, Gualtiero Ancillotti opened a workshop in Florence's San Frediano district for the modification of competition motorcycles and scooters, named “Specialità Moto.” From this workshop came the initial modifications that made the Ancillotti name famous.

For example, in 1945, modifications were made to WLA Harley Davidson models. By enhancing the suspension, a new shock absorber system was created that made the ride smoother.

In the mid-1960s, the focus shifted to the Lambretta Innocenti. Two notable modifications, the Lambretta Ancillotti Special 200 c.c. and the Lambretta Ancillotti Super Sprint 250 c.c., achieved significant success at the Monza and Elvington circuits, respectively. The records set by the Lambretta Ancillotti Super Sprint 250 c.c. - world records for the kilometer with a standing start and the quarter-mile flying start-remain unbeaten to this day.

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The Story Continues

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Thanks to its growing success and fame, the Ancillotti workshop received increasing demand.

In 1972, moving from the San Frediano workshop, Ancillotti opened a production facility in Chianti, Sambuca Val di Pesa. With the new name Ancillotti Motorcycles S.r.l., the company transitioned from modifications to manufacturing Cross, Off-road, and Enduro motorcycles. The most famous model from the Florentine motorcycle house was the Primo Trofeo MX Motorsprint di Polcanto, a name still used for some Ancillotti MTB bicycles.

In 2009, Ancillotti created another exceptional model, produced in only four units: the Ancillotti 125 G.A. Cross. Dedicated to Gualtiero Ancillotti, this model won the Primo Trofeo MX Motorsprint di Polcanto in the 125 class in 2010.