An Italian of Jewish origin, Oscar Ravà was a director at the FIAT car manufacturer but had to escape from Italy during the Second World War and he settled in Catalonia. Initially he opened a Lancia car salesroom in Barcelona, and he expanded the business into selling locally made Rabasa bicycles.
In 1948 he reached an agreement with Moto Guzzi to manufacture some of their models in Catalonia, under licence. His licence with Moto Guzzi enabled him to manufacture some of the smaller models of the Italian brand in Spain. The Franco regime had very strict import restrictions but by outsourcing the manufacture of many components to local, reputable firms, he was able to proceed. The contract for the first 1,000 frames and forks for the 65cc model went to Rabasa (see SRS Chapter) and the engines were produced by ISA (Industry Subsidiaries Aviation) in Seville.
Moto Guzzi Hispania 65cc dating from 1953 and photographed at the now closed Museu Moto Barcelona
Moto Guzzi Hispania in Barcelona produced five different models for the Spanish market as follows:
- Moto Guzzi 65cc, Guzzino type. A very successful model with over 100,000 produced. It was developed from 1943 but didn’t go on sale until 1946 and units were exported to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Moto Guzzi 49cc, Guzzino type. This had the reduced capacity and the addition of pedals to comply with new Spanish regulations.
- Moto Guzzi 73cc: Cardellino type. An updated version of the first 65cc but capable of carrying a passenger.
- Moto Guzzi Z98: Zigolo 98cc type
- Moto Guzzi 110cc: Zigolo 110cc
A 1960 Moto Guzzi Hispania Cardelino 73cc coupled to a Bombix 400 Sidecar photographed at the Museo de la Moto y el Coche Clasico, 10700 Hervás (Cáceres)
In 1972, the company left Catalonia and relocated to Seville, where it continued until 1979, the year in which the formal separation with the parent company in Italy took place.
A 1958 Moto Guzzi Hispania Model Z 98cc on display at the Museo de la Moto y el Coche Clasico, 10700 Hervás (Cáceres)
Spanish Motorcycles 