Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Galletto was born from the project of the founder of the Carlo Guzzi company, who decided to combine the advantages of a high-wheeled motorcycle with those of a scooter, eliminating the drawbacks of both: the vehicle in fact provided protection to the driver, ease of use, availability of a spare wheel (mounted between the front wheel and the front part of the frame although considered an accessory to be purchased separately) typical of a scooter combined with the performance, comfort and road holding of a motorcycle. The evolution of the motorcycle was the result of a gestation that began as early as 1947: the first experiments in Moto Guzzi of a vehicle with the characteristics of the Galletto, but developed in 125 cubic centimeters, date back to this year. The prototype was presented at the 1950 Geneva Motor Show and immediately achieved considerable success, thanks to its qualities of comfort and resistance. Presented with a 150 cm³ engine, it entered the market some time later with an engine increased to 160 cm³. At the 1952 Milan Motor Show, a revised version of the Galletto was presented, with an engine increased to 175 cm³ (7 HP, 85 km/h) with a four-speed gearbox equipped with an electrical system with an emergency function in the event of battery failure. At the beginning of 1954 the engine was further enlarged, reaching 192 cm³ (7.5 HP) and acquiring electrical power supplied by a 6 Volt dynamo. In 1956, the Ercolino three-wheeler was developed and put on the market from the Galletto engine. The last version of the Galletto dates back to 1961, recognizable by various aesthetic changes (front end, handlebars, rear mudguard, saddle) and mechanical ones, of which the most important was the application of the electric starter.
With the transfer of ownership of Moto Guzzi from the Parodi family to SEIMM, it was decided to eliminate all models deemed obsolete or unprofitable, including the Galletto, which went out of production in 1966.
The Galletto was born from the project of the founder of the Carlo Guzzi company, who decided to combine the advantages of a high-wheeled motorcycle with those of a scooter, eliminating the drawbacks of both: the vehicle in fact provided protection to the driver, ease of use, availability of a spare wheel (mounted between the front wheel and the front part of the frame although considered an accessory to be purchased separately) typical of a scooter combined with the performance, comfort and road holding of a motorcycle. The evolution of the motorcycle was the result of a gestation that began as early as 1947: the first experiments in Moto Guzzi of a vehicle with the characteristics of the Galletto, but developed in 125 cubic centimeters, date back to this year. The prototype was presented at the 1950 Geneva Motor Show and immediately achieved considerable success, thanks to its qualities of comfort and resistance. Presented with a 150 cm³ engine, it entered the market some time later with an engine increased to 160 cm³. At the 1952 Milan Motor Show, a revised version of the Galletto was presented, with an engine increased to 175 cm³ (7 HP, 85 km/h) with a four-speed gearbox equipped with an electrical system with an emergency function in the event of battery failure. At the beginning of 1954 the engine was further enlarged, reaching 192 cm³ (7.5 HP) and acquiring electrical power supplied by a 6 Volt dynamo. In 1956, the Ercolino three-wheeler was developed and put on the market from the Galletto engine. The last version of the Galletto dates back to 1961, recognizable by various aesthetic changes (front end, handlebars, rear mudguard, saddle) and mechanical ones, of which the most important was the application of the electric starter.
With the transfer of ownership of Moto Guzzi from the Parodi family to SEIMM, it was decided to eliminate all models deemed obsolete or unprofitable, including the Galletto, which went out of production in 1966.
