Believe it or not, this retro motorcycle is powered by a V8 engine. The Moto Guzzi V8 motorcycle comes from an age when technology was left aside in favor of brute force. The Moto Guzzi V8 motorcycle is powered by a 500cc V8 racing engine with eight carburettors that developed in its good days 80 hp. This mid-1950s motorcycle was able to get to a top speed of 180 mph (288 km/h) and rev up to 12,500rpm!
The aerodynamics of the Moto Guzzi V8 motorcycle have been developed in the wind tunnel which was an industry first at that time.
The Moto Guzzi V8 motorcycle will be showcased at Race Retro these days, where owner Giuseppe Todero will give it the chance to stretch its
legs every day during the show’s new-for-2011 Fire Up Paddock.
Race Retro Press Release:
MOTO GUZZI V8 MAKES UK DEBUT AT RACE RETRO
This year’s Race Retro is promising a treat for anyone who likes Italian racing motorcycles, and
among the high performance machinery is a legend from the days when technology was seen as an alternative to sheer brute force of big bore displacement engines.
The Moto Guzzi V8 motorcycle, a fire-breathing eight cylinder 500cc racing machine, is making an extremely rare visit to the UK with its appearance at Race Retro, held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, from 25th to 27th February.
Developed in the mid-1950s, the multi-cylinder racer designed by Giuliano Carcano was never given the opportunity to realise its technical
potential, but despite its development being cancelled in 1957 when Moto Guzzi joined other manufacturers pulling out of Grand Prix racing, the 90-degree V8 (which used eight carburettors) developed 80 horsepower, could best 180mph and revved to 12,500rpm! Despite varying success the bike enjoyed a cult status that continues to this day.
Alongside technical advance in engine design, Carcano also believed in aerodynamics and the benefits of a more slippery shape and he used Moto Guzzi’s wind tunnel – an industry first –
to explore wind-cheating designs.
Moto Guzzi V8 owner Giuseppe Todero will be running starting up this two-wheeled technical tour-de-force every day during the show’s new-for-2011 Fire Up Paddock, sponsored by Ace Cafe London, where it will come up close to bike enthusiasts of all ages.
Also visiting Race Retro on Friday and Saturday is Giacomo Agostini, who posted 123 Grand Prix wins across numerous classes. He’s joined by a three-cylinder 500cc MV Agusta which is a continuation of based on those he raced in the 1960s. He has said that while lacking horsepower, the MV was light and therefore easy to ride. This will also be in action in the Fire Up Paddock.
And for anyone interested in buying a classic motorcycle there’s the H&H auction on Saturday 26 February, which gives anyone bitten by the bike bug a chance to realise their ambitions.
Adult ticket prices start from just £20 for Friday and Saturday, £15 for Sunday when booking in advance. Children’s tickets are £5 on Friday or Saturday and free on Sunday. Parking is also free throughout. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com
