1956 Moto Guzzi V8 500GP Evocation for sale at Coys 

Seller's description


Conceived and designed by Dr Giulio Carcano – the engineer also responsible for the transverse V-twin that has long been synonymous with Moto Guzzi – the 8-cylinder, 499cc racer was built specifically for the factory racing team for the 1955-1957 World Championship Grand Prix seasons.

Having previously demonstrated its engineering prowess with a wide range of engine configurations – most notably the unique and hugely successful 120° 494cc Bicilindrica v-twin – the 90° V8, or Ottocilindri, reinforced Moto Guzzi’s commitment to pushing both technology and budget to the very limit.

With water cooling, a pair of double overhead cams, eight 20mm Dell’Orto carburettors, sixteen valves, eight unsilenced exhausts and a choice of four, five or six gears, the free-revving Guzzi V8 shocked the racing world on its launch in early 1955. Boasting magnesium crankcases and miniaturised components, the engine tipped the scales at 45 kilos and contributed to an overall machine weight of just 148kg – or around 10kg less than a current MotoGP bike.

Producing an unprecedented 78 horsepower, the streamlined ‘dustbin-faired’ Guzzi V8 achieved a similarly unprecedented 275km/h (171mph) on Spa Francorchamps’ Masta Straight during the 1956 Belgian GP. This was a race which saw the amazing Guzzi repeatedly break its own lap record prior to returning to the pits with a faulty gearbox.

 



But despite its state-of-the-art twin-cradle tubular oil-filled frame, twin-shock front and rear suspension, magnesium drum brakes (ventilated twin leading shoe at the front) and the best racing rubber of the day, the Guzzi ‘Otto’ was a frightening, and indeed dangerous machine to pilot at racing speeds – so much so that only eight riders were ever entrusted to race it, with one of them refusing to compete on it after that ‘56 Belgian GP. With the factory not committing to significant further development, the other seven factory riders all followed suit prior to the start of the 1957 season.

Along with arch Italian rivals Gilera and Mondial, and faced with further development costs, Moto Guzzi chose to retire from racing at the end of the 1957 season, but given that further development it’s very likely that the V8 would have gone on to dominate the GP scene throughout the late 1950s and possibly beyond.

As things turned out the V8 represents the famous Mandello del Lario factory’s last hurrah in Grand Prix racing.

It’s believed that Moto Guzzi produced a dozen V8 engines during the mid 1950s and six complete bikes, of which just two original factory bikes are known to survive today. It is also thought that four faithful replica machines have been built in more recent times, with one of those forming part of the highly regarded Sammy Miller collection.

The Guzzi V8 offered for sale here was constructed in Italy during the early 2000s by a small team of expert ex Moto Guzzi technicians who meticulously adhered to the machine’s original specifications. Its parts are accurate reproductions created from original factory drawings, with original V8 parts to hand for as close-to-perfect replication and authenticity as it is possible to achieve. Like the Ottos produced in the 1950s, this V8 replica also has crankcases and brake drums cast in magnesium, with the steels, alloys and other materials, including the suede leather seat upholstery, being precisely to 1956 factory spec.

It almost goes without saying that machines of this significance and exclusivity hardly ever come to market, while this most fabulous example of 1950s Italian racing exotica will be sought after and welcomed at the world’s most prestigious historic motorcycle events.

This is a one-off opportunity to own what is arguably the most spectacular and remarkable machine in the entire 66-year history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

Contact Coys for more details.