Dedicated to the history and preservation of Italian lightweight motorcycles of the 50s and 60s.
John F. Muratori – The man who brought Italian motorcycles to Los Angeles
In the mid to late 50’s ,a glut of new lightweight motorcycles entered the market in the Los Angles area. These motorcycles had names like Aermacchi, Ceccato, Bartali, Caproni- Vizzola, Taurus, FB Mondial, Gilera, MV Agusta and even Ducati, in their first stateside expansion. The Italian foray into the Southern California market had begun with ferocity. The lightweight scrambles market had long been dominated by British marques and now Italian names started to appear in the club scrambles and AFM road racing results. John F. Muratori (1909-1967), Italian Industry representative for the Los Angeles area, was the conduit for the arrival of these new and beautifully sculpted machines.
Muratori was born Giovanni Francesco Muratori in Piacenza, Emilia- Romagna in 1909. As outlined in the biography from Southern California Motorcyce News shown below, he had a varied and extensive background before his dive into motorcycles and exotic cars in Los Angeles.
Interview with Mr. Muratori from Southern California Cycle News
Interview with Mr. Muratori from Southern California Cycle News, part 2.
Interview with Mr. Muratori from Southern California Cycle News, part 3.
The deal is sealed. Ducati reaches the western shore of the US first (The famous Berliner concern takes over some four years later).
The humble exterior of the Grebe shop in San Bernardino. A beautiful Ducati 98ss sits outside. A proper photo of mid 50s machinery.
In 1957, a strong marketing campaign was launched to push the Aermacchi Chimera. It is unknown how many units were sold.
Caproni- Vizzola was another Italian marque brought in by Mr. Muratori’s enterprise. Sonny Angel’s shop in National City, CA still had a few in storage before his passing less than a decade ago.
The fantastically rare Taurus 250 Scrambler made a blip on the scene in 58′.
Lyle Ottele, ace rider of Italian machinery, perched upon a Taurus 250.
FB Mondial also made an appearance. I have never seen an original California import Mondial in person or online. The majority of these machines were probably set up in scrambler trim.
An ambitious Sonny Angel corresponds with Mr. Muratori about launching MV Agusta motorcycles in Mexico City. This is done with the blessing and possible backing from Ernie McAfee’s dealership in LA. It appears that McAfee’s concern was the exclusive MV distributor. It is unknown if this venture ever came to fruition. Sonny Angel Archives
A simple ad which shows the exquisite design of the MV Agusta CSS Squalo 175. A few of these were sold in Southern California. Sonny Angel owned one of these machines and Cal Rayborn famously campaigned one.
A collection of the offerings brought forward by Mr. Muratori and his dealer/ distributor network. A cornucopia of fine Italian marques. I am always looking for images of any of the machines originally shipped to Los Angeles. Shoot me an email if you have any of these historic pieces!
