Moto Guzzi 254, 1980, Italy

Sold also as Benelli 250 Quattro, the Moto Guzzi 254 was born from the idea of the new dynamic CEO of the two companies Alejandro De Tomaso, who imagined a small superbike to sell in the european market, exploiting the tax reliefs of many countries for motorcycles under 250cc of displacement.

The size and weight of the bike were limited and it was not conventional at all, with its 231cc 4-cylinder engine and an unusual look, characterized by plastic fairings.

The bike was unveiled in 1975 but sales started two years later.

The operation was unsuccessful: due to the unappealing look and the japanese competition in the european market, the 254 was not popular and the production ended in 1981. The sister Benelli Quattro was aestethically modified and discontinued two years later in 1984.