Derlan (Zarautz 1954-1962)

In 1953, “Talleres Basor” (Basor Workshops) were founded by Sr Bastarrica and the Sorazu brothers (José Luis and Iñaki).  They were based in a building in the Salberdin industrial area of the town of Zarautz, in the province of Guipúzcoa, in the Pays Basque.  From here, under the brand name of Derlan, they manufactured mopeds initially before eventually moving on to produce light motorcycles and motocarros.  At one stage, the factory employed 20 people. The name Derlan, is thought to derive from Ederlan, which in Basque “eder” is beautiful/good and “lan” is work and it would translate into good or beautiful work.

All their machines were equipped with air cooled, 2-stroke, single cylinder engines, which are described as “replicas” of the famous SACHS engines.

This Derlan MSK-94 is in the Team Lazpiur Collection at Bergara, Gipuzkoa.

The “Gavilan” was introduced in 1959 and was the most powerful model that Derlan would produce under their own name.  Initially it was fitted with a 125cc air cooled, 2-stroke, single cylinder engine that produced 5.0 CV @ 5000 rpm and with a maximum speed of 80 km/h but, from 1960 to 1962, the engine power output was increased to 5.5 CV.

A rare, restored 1959 Derlan Gavilán 125cc.  This photograph was supplied by the Derlan and Boar Facebook page and was taken in the old “Talleres Basor” which have only recently been demolished.

Exact production figures for the Derlan brand vary by reference sources, with a maximum of 700 units suggested.  It is generally agreed that one of their main drawbacks was that they introduced too many models, over a short period of time and never had a chance to establish sustained production output.

The Derlan story has a slight twist in the period 1962 to 1964 with the Boar brand – see separate chapter.  Talleres Basor, when it had finished motorcycle production in 1964, went on to build clutches for use on boats.

Publicity for the Derlan Motocarro. This photo of a beautifully restored Derlan 125cc motocarro was supplied by the Derlan & Boar Facebook page.