Precedents
Montesa's history began in 1944, when the young industrialist from Barcelona Pere Permanyer Puigjaner, at the time 33 years old, started branching out from his industry of producer gas to the automotive industry, opening a new branch of his activities towards the motorcycle sector.
The gas generator industry was very representative of post-war life in Spain. During the Second World War (1939-1945) and amid Spain's reconstruction after the devastating Civil War (1936-1939), the shortage of fuel had paralyzed transport in Spain. This meant that the application of the producer gas system (a skillful procedure for obtaining fuel by burning almond shells) was an almost magical resource, be it for the propulsion of cars, trucks, or electric current generators.
Pere Permanyer learned about vegetable fuels through the family business, founded by his grandfather, which dealt in the import and distribution of coal. The Permanyer Coal Company acquired raw materials from the islands of Corsica and Sicily and transported it to Barcelona through two schooners of its own. A fleet of trucks then distributed the product throughout Spain.
Pere Permanyer Puigjaner was born in Barcelona on 21 July 1911. When he was only one year old, he moved with his parents to a new family home in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona, where the company was located. His integration in the area and his cooperation in the progress of the youth, as well as the development of the district during his years of residence there, made him worthy, in 1975, of the prize “San Martín de Oro with international transcendence”, awarded the District's Municipal Board. Although for some time he collaborated in the family industry under his father's orders, he soon showed a natural inclination towards manufacturing and a passion for mechanics.
As a child, the game of “Meccano” helped him develop a natural leaning towards industrial innovation. When he finished his studies in Industrial and Commercial Expertise in 1931, his interest drove him to develop one of his first youthful ideas: in anticipation of possible energy restrictions, he studied the propulsion system using gas generators applied to internal combustion engines. He traveled to Madrid, and then to London and Paris, where the system had been studied academically, to gather as much information as possible. In the French capital, he even drove a garbage truck powered by the gas generator system, to check its operation first hand.
During the Spanish Civil War, Pere Permanyer took over the management of a repair and reconstruction workshop for air force vehicles in Zaragoza. During this period, he developed a great friendship with Josep Antoni Soler i Urgell “Jasu”, with whom he shared the difficult years of the war. Permanyer was in charge of that workshop, which had more than 50 welders, mechanics, fitters, turners, carpenters, bodyworkers, and assemblers. The young director, then 26, developed a particular interest for the two-stroke engine of the German DKW vans, which would become the inspiration of his subsequent projects.
However, around 1944, with the foreseeable end of the Second World War, Permanyer realized that the supply of fuel would soon return to normal and, therefore, he would have to refocus his industry towards an activity other than producer gas, which was, in reality, an emergency resource, the result of the circumstances of the time. His first idea was to study a two-stroke engine for motorcycles, given the extraordinary demand for this type of light vehicles, and the complete lack of local manufacture and imports, due to two wars, the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 and the World War II of 1939-45.
The beginning until 1945
His friend “Jasu”, well aware of Pere Permanyer's industrial potential, introduced him to his brother-in-law, Francisco X. Bultó, a big fan of motorsports and an expert biker. It was during June 1944 when, among the three of them, they decided to produce light motorcycles in Permanyer's workshops, at 408 Córcega Street, in Barcelona.
A Motobecane B1V2GR38 that Bultó had given as a present to his nephew Juan Soler Bultó (son of “Jasu” who would go on to become a prominent speed and test rider) would serve as the basis for the first prototype that started to appear in the streets of Barcelona at the end of October of the same year. With some improved features, the prototype was modified, and on February 11, 1945, it was registered for a team motorcycle regularity test, organized by the Real Moto Club of Catalunya with the XX anagram, the name of the brand still undecided on. The rider on the motorcycle was José Luis Milá, who sadly wouldn’t finish the test due to a failure in the ignition system.
This setback did not discourage the company in the slightest, in fact, it became yet another incentive to accelerate the technical evolution of the design, on which intense work was done. At the time, the difficulties of sustaining a mass production were enormous, so much so that even a true believer would have had trouble not giving up. Spain didn’t have the required auxiliary industry and the current political isolation of Spain made it extremely difficult to obtain the necessary raw materials and components.
During these years, one of the most desired components, and probably the hardest to obtain, was the magnetic flywheel for the engine ignition. Fortunately, Manuel Giró, who had a film projector manufacturing industry (Orfeo Sincronic S.A.- O.S.S.A.) had imported, before the war, some Bosch flywheels with the purpose, then rejected, of making motorcycles. Permanyer and Bultó bought the batch of 100 units for 22,000 pesetas and started to build the first hundred mass-produced motorcycles.
To acquire the necessary materials, given the particularity of these circumstances, Permanyer had to use his imagination and resources in a way that today would be seen as impossible. There were no means of production at all, and no specialized personnel. That is why he traveled almost non-stop looking for information to Madrid, Bilbao, and even abroad, and had to resort to picturesque maneuvers such as exporting Spanish wines from La Rioja to obtain, in exchange, a license to import the raw materials needed for the industry.
Meanwhile, Bultó was designing prototypes. His friend Carles Carreras, also an engineer, helped him with the first sketches. Those days, Bultó could only spend a few hours of “spare time” on the project, having to attend his own business, the company Barella y Bultó S.L., with a production plant in Vilanova y la Geltrú, (Barcelona) dedicated to the production of piston rings and cylinder sleeves for the automotive industry, sold under the brand name “Bolaco”.
In June 1945, three units of the new motorcycles were showcased at Barcelona’s Trade Fair. The name of the brand had been chosen, Montesa, selected after analyzing a wide variety of alternatives. It was the A-45 model, a motorcycle with a rigid frame, a 98 cc (45.6 x 60mm) engine and a three-speed manual gearbox. They also made a ladies' version and a version with rear suspension. The carburetors used were made by the French brand Gurtner, although later versions would incorporate one of their own making.
In the first balance sheet of the recently created company, on 31 December 1945, the partners were Pere Permanyer Puigjaner and his father, Marcelino Permanyer Grifoll, with 630,003.36 pesetas, which represented 89% of the company; and Francisco X. Bultó with 80,619.75 pesetas, who owned 11%.
Pere Permanyer was the company's first manager. The combination of his competitive and adventurous spirit present since the company's foundation, together with the need to test the motorcycles to complete their development, led to the organization, in July of 1945, of an ascent to the Caldes de Bohí spa. A place that had never been reached before with a motor vehicle, as there were no roads or paths, the only way to get there being through climbing, cross-country, or by animal traction. Five motorcycles reached the spa, and the riders, true heroes and forerunners of mountain biking, were Paco Bultó, José Luis and Alfonso Milá, J. M. Llobet “Turuta” and Juan Soler Bultó.
In November 1945, they took part for the first time in a speed race at the “First Motorcycle Prize of Montjuic”, where the local Montesa motorcycles proved to have an incredible performance, taking the first four places of the 100 cc class, to the great surprise of a large crowd of fans. The first place was won by J.M. Llobet, “Turuta”.
The start of mass production (1945-1947)
Mass production started on June 19, 1945, the first unit appearing on the market, with the chassis number MB-0001. The buyer was Pere Permanyer himself. The second unit was for Juan Soler Bultó, the third (the Lady version) for Ana Mª Villavecchia, the fourth for Carlos Carreras and the fifth for F.X. Bultó. The sale prices were 8,500 pesetas for the normal version and 9,000 pesetas for the lady's one.
In that first year of 1945, production reached a total of 21 units. And although there had been some attempts to manufacture motorcycles in Spain, none of them were serious enough for it to be considered as standard industrial manufacture. According to Francisco Herreros, author of the Encyclopedia of the Spanish Motorcycle, “the only one was the Madrid-based Soriano with its grand facilities and the full support of General Franco's regime, thanks to the political loyalty of its owners, but the quality of their products left much to be desired…”
There is no doubt that Montesa was the real first Spanish motorcycle factory, with mass production and a real industrial and exporting projection. On the year 1946, the company was focused primarily on increasing and improving its production, with the stimulus of a growing demand throughout the country. Meanwhile, when it came to competitions, Montesa took part in an international competition for the first time: it was on May 5 at the International Grand Prix of Barcelona, held at the Montjuic circuit, which ended with a spectacular victory in the 125 cc class race. That year, they also won the Spanish 100 and 125 cc Championships.
During the same year, 1946, some standard units were made with a 51.5 mm diameter piston and the same 60 mm stroke: the model, with 125 cc, was called B-46. In some of their units, they also tried using English Villiers engines, even though the project to import engines made by the brand for the series was later rejected.
Finally, at the beginning of 1947, the mass production of a new version was started, a model called B-46/49, with a new cylinder and head, externally larger, to create more of a square shape, whilst maintaining the same characteristics of 51.5 x 60.
The definitive industrial company was established on February 3rd, 1947 by public deed before the public notary Mr. F. Trias de Bes and assumed the name Permanyer S. A. de Industrias Mecánicas. The Permanyer family contributed 76.3% of the capital to the company and the Bultó family 23.7%. The total capital was 810,000 pesetas.
As the company continued to grow, more financial resources were needed. In November 1947, in the minutes presented to the Treasury, the intention to carry out a capital increase was declared, in which the Bultó family would contribute an amount equal to that of the Permanyer family. But this increase did not come to fruition, since the Bultó family withdrew, considering that the future business of Montesa motorcycles was not secure enough, in fact, there still was a clear deficit when it came to auxiliary industries in Spain.
Finally, on May 29, 1948, the necessary capital increase took place. Permanyer pledged his private assets and, together with 23 small shareholders, contributed the capital required to continue the company's expansion plan. The capital was set at 2,310,000 pesetas. The distribution of the shareholders remained as follows: Permanyer family 44%, Bultó-Marqués family 30.9%, Guixà-Arderiu family 13.6%, Milá family 9.5%, others 2%. At that time, 2 units were manufactured daily and the monthly turnover was 500,000 pesetas.
Orders for Montesa motorcycles continued to grow at a faster rate than production, but the priority was still to maintain and increase the quality of the product. The premises on Calle Córcega could not be expanded any further and arrangements were made to move to larger premises.
From the first international competitions to the production plant in Pamplona street
F.X. Bultó’s great passion and enthusiasm for motorcycle competitions and the company’s initial successes made him decide to take part in 1948, for the first time, in a race outside Spain. He chooses the “Tourist Trophy” of Assen, in Holland, as it was the most important event of the calendar that year. The news created great expectations in the Spanish press.
Four motorcycles were tuned to participate in the 125cc class race. A large group of fans and friends bid farewell to the riders and their companions at the El Prat airport, their departure attended as if they were members of a famous football team. The members of the expedition were: José-Vicente Muntadas, as manager, and Paco Bultó, “Turuta”, Leopoldo Milá, Alfonso Milá, Guillermo Cabestany and José-Antonio Romeu as riders, among which the four racing motorcycles were assigned, with no particular preference or prior decision.
Once they reached the race track, they noticed difficulties in setting the carburetor because it ran on 72 Octane gas. That’s why, against what was originally decided, they choose the four riders that weighed less to race. Later on, they would verify that the rider who had placed best, “Turuta”, was the one that weighed less out of all of them.
32 riders and 14 different brands of motorcycles took part in the race. The final classification was:
Guillermo Cabestany had to retire early from the race, unable to finish it. Regardless, it is important to give credit where credit is due, and the reality was that they were competing with the experience and prestige of Italian and British brands, which had better resources and more experience in speed racing on the track.
In 1950, they rented a large three-story building in Pamplona street, no. 89, in Barcelona, this would prove a much better production plant for Montesa as it had more possibilities for expansion. Meanwhile, they also rented premises at 113 Ausiàs March street, where they established the company's offices. This was the moment they introduced a completely innovative model, the result of the creativity of the company's design team. It was called D-51.
The introduction of the X-48/49 “Montjuic” engine was a big step forward. This engine, already used in competition, began to be tested on test tracks in June 1948. It had a piston without deflector with a diameter of 54.2 x 54 race. The fuel tank, round instead of square, called for a change in color, the designers working with a variety of sketches. Ultimately, they would choose the color red, which would go on to be the characteristic color of the brand. The X-48/49 engine would be rejected because of difficulties in machining the cylinder. The clutch was changed to multi-disc wet clutch.
The new model was showcased at the Barcelona’s 1951 Trade Fair and marked the end of the use of parallelogram suspension, which was replaced by a telescopic fork. They also incorporated doubly efficient aluminum cast brakes. Several units of this model took part in the Andorra Rally on 16th and 17th of June 1951 and Leopoldo Milá, riding atop one of them, took the win.
A new departure in international competition led to F.X. Bultó and Guillermo Cabestany to participate in the 6 International Days held in Varese (Italy). Both of them were crowned in the hardest race, the 2000 km, winning the bronze medal.
Another important event during the same year was the first participation in the speed races of the Tourist Trophy of the Isle of Man on June 6th. The classification, in 125 cc race was:
1.- C. McCandless (Mondial)
2.- C. Ubbiali (Mondial)
3 – G. Leoni (Mondial)
4.- N. Pagani (Mondial)
5 – J.S. Bultó (Montesa)
6.- “Turuta” (Montesa)
The fact that it was the second brand to be classified (among the 16 registered), and the first with a 2-stroke engine, had a great impact on the specialized English press.
The first international fairs to the separation (1953-1958)
Technical development within the premises of the brand continued steadily and in February 1953 the Montesa Brío 90 was introduced, a finely detailed model with a racing heart that incorporated for the first time a carburetor at the rear of the cylinder, in addition to important modifications to the engine, which translated into greater power and acceleration.
In March 1953, Montesa took part in its first motor show outside Spain: it was the Geneva Motor Show, where Pere Permanyer personally unveiled the new Brío 90 model. They also came up with the brilliant idea of exhibiting some miniatures Montesa models (meticulously made by the artist Manuel Olivé) that caused great admiration among the public. The specialized press tested several Montesa models and the magazine reviews were very favorable.
Pere Permanyer was proud of this participation in the Geneva Motor Show, not only was it the first time that a Spanish motorcycle was showcased outside of Spain, but it was also incredibly unusual at that time to see Spanish industrial products being valued outside of our borders. This is especially relevant considering it was a time when Seat hadn’t even started producing cars. A more utilitarian concept model, the Brío 80, was showcased the following year at Barcelona’s Trade Fair. The new Montesa was equipped with smaller diameter wheels, larger balloon tires, and wider fenders. This model's ride was smoother and more suitable for riding with two passengers, a very common option those days.
In February 1954, a “Sprint” type motorcycle participated in two International speed Grand Prix, held in Sao Paulo (Brazil) competing against the most famous riders and brands. The success achieved began to cement Montesa's popularity throughout the world. The rider John Grace placed 7th in the Tourist Trophy of the Isle of Man, on this same year, with the Montesa “Sprint”. Yet another important success was made in the popular International Motorcycle Trophy of Monaco, with a Brío 90.
That summer, as a result of the experiences at the last Isle of Man TT, a new fairing was adopted for the “Sprint”, tested at the Spanish Grand Prix, which counted towards the World Championship. The brand placed 3rd and 4th, in the 125 cc category. The long succession of successes accumulated in the technical, racing and commercial aspects was endorsed worldwide in November 1954, at the London Motor Show, an exhibition held in the classic Earls Court Exhibition Hall, where Montesa exhibited its Brío 80 and Brío 90 models for 1955 and the “Sprint”.
Montesa's stand caused great interest and was one of the most visited in the great London exhibition center. J.P. Griffith, a reporter for the “Motor Cycling” magazine, after testing Montesa motorcycles, wondered: “What have I learned? Spain produces good motorcycles, and they work as well as they look”.
At the beginning of 1955, the new versions of the Brío 80 and Brío 90 were introduced to the public, incorporating an odometer and speedometer in the headlight, a light switch on the handlebars, a new two-seater saddle and a handlebar lock, the latter being a complete novelty in Spain. Pere Permanyer had brought the patent for this clever gadget at the Geneva Fair when he became friends with its inventor, Abraham Neiman (who would eventually become the owner of the multinational with the same name). To develop this product, Permanyer creates the Clausor Company, becoming its first president. The same year, brilliant results are achieved with the “Sprint”: 2nd and 3rd place in the 6th International Speed Grand Prix of Saarland, its motorcycles ridden by Paco Gonzalez and Enric Sirera. They also won the Speed Race in the Cuesta a la Rabasada, with José A. Elizalde, and later, in the International Grand Prix of Lyon, John Grace, with the 175cc version, will also achieve a spectacular victory by doubling the score of the second rider.
In June, Montesa returned to the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, placing three motorcycles in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions in the 125cc race on the Clypse track. It was an extraordinary testimony of the brand's potential, praised by all the international motorcycle press.
On July 2nd and 3rd, the 24 Hours of Montjuic would be held for the first time. 88 riders took part, alternating in the driving of 44 motorcycles. Juan Soler Bultó and “Turuta”, took the first positions, in front of Guzzi, BMW, Triumph, etc., known for their superior engine displacement.
This year was the tenth anniversary of the company's foundation, and different commemorative events are held. The first of these events took place on 1 December, St. Eloy's Day, when all the company's personnel were treated to a trip to Montserrat including a banquet at the Hotel de la Colonia Puig, in the same area of the Montserrat mountain range, here the employees that had been there since the start were presented with gold badges.
On the 9th of the same month, the first National Convention of Official Montesa Distributors was held to mark the milestone. Here they presented the Brío 80/56 model, which had numerous improvements over the previous version, especially in the toolbox with lock, fuel gauge, removable sprocket, illuminated speedometer, etc.
The success of that first convention led to the periodic repetition of conventions by Montesa's Spanish and international distribution agencies, a system that allowed them to jointly discuss commercial projects and listen to problems, sales plans, and collective experiences that the attendees put forward up for discussion, strengthening communication channels between distributors and between distributors and the factory on all levels.
The celebrations ended that year with a tribute to all the brand's riders on 23 December at the Saló Rosa in Barcelona. The progress of the company was nothing but astounding, the commercial work and the success in international competitions making Montesa motorcycles known and admired all over the world.
Two new models were introduced: one with a clear racing features that incorporated 4 speeds and with the shifter integrated into the gearbox: the Brío 91, in 1956; and another the following year, with a touring aspect, the Brío 81, which incorporated a system to silence the intake, a flywheel to achieve greater smoothness and other features. With this model, the usual red color was abandoned in favor of the new “trout green”.
In the 1956 edition, Montesa won yet again the 24 Hours of Montjuic, this time with the Elizalde brothers, riding a special 142 cc bike. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places also went to riders of the brand. As the brand grew, the bike started to be exported in substantial quantities to many countries in Europe, South America, and the United States. But in 1958, the Spanish government decided to implement the National Stabilization Plan, which was extremely restrictive, to reduce inflation and eliminate the public deficit. The general cutback forced a business restructuring in most companies based in Spain, and Permanyer, given the circumstances, proposed to limit structural expenses, a limitation that also temporarily affected the competition department which, for the time being, and as a first provisional measure, had to suspend all its activities. However, F. X. Bultó did not accept this and decided to leave the company, arguing that competitions were the main reason for his presence in Montesa.
In this quandary, the large family formed by Muntadas, Cabestany, Rumeu, and the Milá brothers proved their unique dedication to Montesa, including his collaborator and faithful friend “Jasu”, who remained with Montesa as long as possible. The break-up was inevitable. The sale of the shares of Permanyer S.A. de Industrias Mecánicas owned by the Bultó-Marqués family was decided, and Pere Permanyer once again relied on his family and friends to face the new adversity. At the time, Permanyer was unaware that Bultó had already considered setting up his own motorcycle manufacturing company, even while he was still working hard at Montesa. When several members of the competition department “deserted” to join Bultó's new project, Permanyer was taken completely by surprise.
The situation was complicated for Montesa, but Permanyer faced it with his usual determination: he renewed the Board of Directors, placed Leopoldo Milá at the head of the technical department, and restructured all other departments.
Milá refused to continue with the “monobloc” engine project, which he had been working on with his former colleagues (and which would eventually serve as the basis for the future Bultaco Tralla 101) and wanted a fresh start, introducing his own ideas and philosophy when it came to what a design concept should be like.
While Milá was working on what would be the future Impala, they launched some evolutions of the existing models to the international market, such as the Brío 82, the Montesa 150, and, above all, the Brío 110.
In 1959 the first shipment of motorcycles exported to Japan was made, which was considered a spectacular milestone. Japan was a world power in the field of exports and its own country was an impregnable stronghold for other exporting countries.
Then a rumor spread that some Japanese technicians wanted to test the Montesa in their country, to examine it closely, and eventually to copy some of its details.
The Impala and the production plant in Eplugues (1959-1963)
Bultó and his team started their activity and named the new brand Bultaco, a composite of the founder's (Paco Bultó) surname and name, who imprinted his personal racing spirit from the very first moment on his new company. The appearance of a new unexpected competitor and the positive evolution of the market contributed to Montesa's reconsideration of the temporary abstention from competitions. On March 19th, 1959 the first confrontation between Montesa and Bultaco took place on a racing circuit. It was at the 15th Grand Prix of Montjuic, in the 125cc category. An exciting duel took place, amidst an atmosphere of enormous expectation, between the best riders of both brands: Juan “Tey” Elizalde from Montesa and Johnny Grace from Bultaco. At the end of a very exciting race, Montesa's rider won by a few centimeters across the very finish line.
This was a time of great racing victories for Montesa with motorcycles ridden by César Gracia, Enric and Jordi Sirera, Rafa Marsans, and the versatile Juan Ramón López de la Torre. However, the most significant development was the incorporation of a young rider of great strength in the specialty of motocross: it was Pere Pi, who would go on to play a fundamental role, first as a rider and then as a technician and creative, both in motocross and later on trial. His first race with Montesa was the 1st International Moto-Cross in Barcelona, held in the Pedralbes track, in February 1960.
Pere Pi took part with a standard Brío 110, equipped simply with knobby tires and a larger diameter sprocket to shorten its final ratio. The precarious conditions of his bike did not allow him to contend for the victory in equal conditions, but later on the same year, he would achieve several victories with a motorcycle of suitable “motocross” design, culminating by his victory in the II International Moto-Cross of Barcelona the following year.
That same year, 1961, Pere Pi won the Spanish 125 and 250cc Championships. In 1962 he renewed his victory in 250cc. On September 5th, 1961, the ceremony of laying the “first stone” of what would be the new production plant in Esplugues del Llobregat was held. Activity beginning the following year, and on April 19, 1963, the official inauguration ceremony took place, with the attendance of all official authorities. The new 10,000 m2. building, designed by the famous architects Correa and Milá, used prefabricated materials that were very innovative at the time.
Meanwhile, Leopoldo Milá was working intensely on the Impala project. One of the objectives of the project was to ensure the quality and reliability of the product, and to do this they had to subject the prototypes to extensive testing. It was with this in mind, that the idea of taking a motorcycle journey across Africa (Operación Impala), from South to North, where the most taxing travel conditions were assured, arose. The plan was risky and ambitious. Soon five volunteers would show up to carry out the plan: Oriol Regás, Tey Elizalde, Enrique Vernis, Rafael Marsans, and Manuel Maristany.
A journey to the African continent, by motorcycle, from Cape Town to Cairo, given the conditions of the time, was an epic adventure. The media followed the news eagerly. Three prototypes of the Impala model were thoroughly tuned, and with a supporting Land Rover, they set out on the adventure on the 15th of January 1962. In 100 days, they covered some 20,000 kilometers, with nothing more issues than the multiple incidents typical when traveling through inhospitable countries, through forests and plains, with no roads or highways, and with an incredible number of risks of every kind imaginable.
Leopoldo Milá's ideas were confirmed and the project was a complete success. The new Montesa Impala was a great technical, commercial, and racing success from the very beginning and became a design precedent for many years to come.
Even today you can see “Impalas” circulating the streets of Barcelona, which is totally unusual considering its product designed in 1961. Young bikers still compete for a chance to buy bikes of this model as if they were real treasures.
The Montesa Impala was awarded the ADI-FAD for the best industrial design in 1962. At the time, the company had 460 employees on its payroll, producing more than 11,000 units per year. The industrial concept of that time envisioned a very complete manufacturing: casting, presses, welding, complete machining of the engine, painting, assembly… The models that were manufactured, simultaneously, in the '60s, were Impala, Impala Sport, Comando, and the first mass production of a motocross bike (Impala Cross of 175 and 250cc) primarily for export. They also introduced a new model with a very advanced idea: the 4-stroke 60cc scooter, called Montesa Microsooter.
The period between 1963-1968. Motocross. The United States market.
In the following years, Pere Pi would win several Spanish Motocross Championships, with hard racing duels with the riders Oriol Puig-Bultó, first, and José Sanchez, later, both Bultaco riders. He also won many important international competitions, especially in France and Belgium.
The year 1963 was particularly brilliant for sports victories: Jordi Sirera was proclaimed Spanish Champion of Speed in 175cc and José Mª Busquets in 250 cc. The brothers Jordi and Enric Sirera won with a 250cc Impala Sport in the 24 Hours of Montjuic, while the team of Carlos Rocamora and Juan Ramón López De la Torre took second place with a 175cc Impala. Finally, Pere Pi is once again crowned with the Spanish 125cc Motocross Championship.
Victories were also achieved in other specialties such as Rallies, where the consummate specialist Oriol Regás had several wins, including the Cannes-Geneva-Cannes International Trophy. José Mª Arenas shifted between victories in speed and in hill climb races, which were very popular at the time. On this side, the Madrid rider J. R. López De la Torre managed to win the Spanish Regularity Championships in the years 1960, 1963, and 1964.
The North American market, with its great potential, created great expectations for exports. The importer from that country, Kim Kimball (associated with the popular film actor Steve McQueen) started his activity in 1963 by importing some Impala 175 Cross, called “Scrambler” in its American version. Beginning a small business from the garage of his house, he would soon have to expand to new and larger facilities.
Kimball himself began to participate in trials called “del desierto” (the most popular at the time), making the brand known throughout North America, beginning with California. His friend Dan Gurney, a famous motor racing rider, became part of Montesa Motors Inc., which ended up owning a network of 350 dealers around the United States. Other drivers joined the company as shareholders, Ritchie Ginther (first winner for Honda in a Formula 1 race) and Phil Hill.
Several Montesa motorcycles could be seen in numerous Hollywood films, such as “Big Jake”, “Freebie and the Bean”, “On any Sunday”, etc. Even the famous actor Steve McQueen, a friend of Kimball, enjoyed his holidays by racing, on his own, a Montesa through the Californian desert.
Another interesting anecdote was the gift that the astronaut Neil Armstrong found when he returned from his successful trip to the moon. Pere Permanyer, always impressed by big advances in technology, wanted a Montesa to be at his door, waiting for him upon his return.
In 1964, three German motocross riders were signed by the brand: Fritz Betzelbacher, Otto Walz, (the famous duo Otto and Fritz), and Georg Hauger, who achieved numerous victories in Europe. The popularity of motocross led Montesa to launch new models for clients who took part in competitions in this specialty. Thus, in 1966 the Impala Cross was followed by the Cross '66 (designed for the American market) and later by the Cappra 250.
In 1965, Montesa decided to explore the moped market, foreseeing the possible decline of the utility model motorbike during the following years. This was the beginning of the production of the Montesa Cycle, equipped with a 50cc engine and 3-speed manual gearbox (manufactured under a JLO license due to the impossibility of developing their own engine in such a short time). This engine will evolve in the following years, finally becoming one of their own design. This would be the year the rider Carlos Rocamora won the European Endurance Championship.
But top-level speed competition was not easy, as Japanese brands – which had grown enormously thanks to the potential of their domestic market – had entered this arena like a steamroller. This was the era of Mike Hailwood's unbeatable 6-cylinder Honda 250 and Luigi Taveri's 5-cylinder Honda 125. However, far from giving up, Montesa started developing a 125cc, rotary valve, (with the cooperation of the Italian specialist Francesco Villa) to compete on an international level.
Important results were achieved with this bike, like the Spanish Speed Championship with José Mª Busquets. The same year (during July) they won the 24 Hours Motorcyclists of Montjuic again, by the team made up by F.Villa and J.M. Busquets, who were riding a bike specially designed for the event. It was a 250cc with central exhaust and a 5-speed gearbox. Pere Pi was crowned champion, once again, in the 250cc motocross category. He also won the English Karting Championships in 3 categories.
This intense racing activity also included the “Hill Climb” category where Santiago Trías and Roberto Blanc are unbeatable. In motocross, Manuel Olivencia and Francisco Lancho were preparing to take over from P. Pi, but their results never seemed to be at the same level. On the other hand, in the area of international motocross, the Swedish rider Cenneth Loof finished atop a great season that ended, later on, with the same rider receiving the title of official importer of Montesa for Sweden.
Continuing the collaboration of F. Villa, a 250cc two-cylinder was designed to compete in speed races, with a rotary valve and mixed cooling (water for the cylinders and air for the cylinder head). The bike was a real “rocket”; it reached incredible speed, but its mechanical fragility meant that the only brilliant result was achieved in April 1967, at the Riccione circuit in Italy, where Walter Villa stood against Mike Haillwood, who had to work very hard to win with his powerful 6 cylinder Honda. The excellent performance in this race was widely commented by the Italian press.
In 1968 they started to manufacture the Cappra 250 and the 360 GP, with a completely different design than the well-known Impala style. The important sporting successes of these machines culminated in 1969 when they won the national championships of Belgium, France (with Jacky Porte, who had already won it in 67 and 68), Italy, Switzerland and also USA where J. de Soto and R. Nelson won the 250 and 500cc categories.
The beginning of trial
Trial was a very popular, especially in Great Britain, where the competition season began in early autumn, once the speed and motocross races were over, and it was an occasion for the great sportsmen to have fun in winter, competitively, alongside amateurs, in friendly and healthy competition.
John Surtees, for example, who was world champion in speed and later in Formula 1, was a regular in the winter trials, and the Irish Sammy Miller, who was an extraordinary speed racer, also did the same, with such success that he ended up committing himself fully to this specialty, and becoming an almost unbeatable rider. In 1964, Sammy Miller had won, with his Ariel 500 four-stroke, his sixth British Championship, and for the third time, the Scottish Six Days Trial (S.S.D.T.).
But he was not clear about his future with Ariel, so he proposed the idea to Bultaco (through the importer Don Rickman) of building a lightweight trial motorcycle with a 2-stroke engine. At the time, trial was almost unknown in Spain. The first trial competitions in Spain were the I Trial de Viladrau which was held at “Mas Noguer” in Viladrau on August 27th, 1961, and a year later, on September 2nd, the second edition held in the same place. Riders and fans of other specialties such as Juan Soler Bultó, Oriol Puig, Pere Pi, José Mª Busquets, Carlos Giró took part in it.
In October 1964, the International Federation sent an invitation to several European federations to participate in a course in Grenoble, with the objective of promoting trial. A team of Spanish riders went to participate. At the end of the course, a competition was held between the competitors, with the German W. Steiner winning with Triumph and Manuel Marqués taking third place. Pere Pi, who was the only representative of Montesa, did so with a slightly adapted motocross bike and qualified in 13th place. But this wasn't really a competition, it was a demonstration of what the penalty “zones” are like in a trial event and how the rules of this modality are applied on the ground.
All this was done to promote the practice of this sport. Something at which they succeeded, the 1st Tibidabo Trial being held on November 1st, 1964, organized by the Real Moto Club de Catalunya on the slope of the emblematic Barcelona mountain. So many fans registered that the organization was forced to close admissions when the safe limit of riders had been exceeded.
Riders from other specialties participated, such as Jaime Martínez de la Rosa (Go Karts champion, and father of the Formula 1 pilot), Tito Puig (father of the G.P. pilot Alberto Puig), Ramón Torras (the formidable racer from Sabadell). Pere Pi took part with a prototype adapted for this specialty, but knowing his limitations in competing with more experienced riders and better bikes, he showed up at the starting line with a jacket, tie, and “dress” shoes. The winner was Juan Soler Bultó with a Sherpa N and P. Pi was classified in tenth place. It was in the Trial of Manresa, on January 31st, 1965, when P. Pi finally achieved his first victory in a trial competition, ahead of Oriol Puig Bultó and Juan Soler Bultó's Bultacos and the other Montesa ridden by Otón Tena who placed sixth.
Sammy Miller managed to put together what would be the first Sherpa T, but Montesa didn't take trial very seriously yet and only made timid improvements that are tested little by little. In 1966, a prototype with an “Earles” type suspension began to be tested with a little more interest. Then, in April 1967, the first Montesa mass-produced trial bike was showcased at the Motorcycle Sector Exhibition in Barcelona. It was the 250 Trial, but only 44 units were manufactured.
That summer, intense training sessions were organized in the Viladrau district, with the objective of entering the start of the season with the best conditions possible. The model was introduced to competition in the 1st Trial in Sant Llorenç (Terrassa) on 1 October 1967. The winner is, again, Juan Soler Bultó with Pere Pi taking third place, an encouraging improvement. From that moment on a frenetic race took place led by P. Pi as a technician-racer, Jordi Ros and Leopoldo Milá, to develop a motorbike that could compete advantageously with the experienced Sherpa T that Sammy Miller had sponsored.
The expert French rider Christian Rayer is hired as a rider and tester, going on to win the French Championship. The first Spanish Trial Championship is held in 1968. Three trials are held, the first one in Valencia on February 11th and the surprising result of Pere Pi win, beating the experienced “bultaquista” team.
Pi also wins the other two races, the Spring Trial in Barcelona and the Madrid Trial, thus becoming the first Spanish Trial Champion. Montesa had finally created a competitive bike and its commercial name will be Cota 247.
Its innovative design with integrated tank and saddle earns the Adi-Fad Silver Delta for industrial design. This same year, the British rider Don Smith was hired and managed to win the European Championship, beating the mythical Sammy Miller and his Sherpa. His triumph was a blew everyone away.
In May 1968, Montesa made his official debut at the Scottish Six Day International Trial, with Cota 247 motorcycles ridden by Don Smith, Charlie Harris, and Pere Pi. Don Smith, in his first international contact with Montesa in the Six Days, placed third in the general classification, showing a clear view of the possibilities of the new Montesa Trial. The following year P. Pi was faced with a new tough competitor: the young Ignacio Bultó. In the final count of the 1969 Spanish Championship, they were tied on points, but in the play-off, Ignacio won by a minor penalty.
During the second participation in the S.S.D.T. (6 days of Scotland Trial) in May 1969, Montesa wins in the team ranking with Don Smith, Gordon Farley, and Lawrence Telling.
The height of trial and motocross in the 70s
At the end of 1968, and despite the fact that Walter Villa had won the Italian 125cc Championship, the decision was made to focus production towards the mountain bikes, then in full swing, and speed competition was abandoned. They also decided to diversify industrial activity, launching a “power tiller” in 1968 and an “outboard” marine engine in 1969.
In 1970, Benny Sellman and Christian Rayer won the Swedish and French championships respectively, while a young American hopeful named Kenny Roberts won the US Junior Motocross Championship with a Cappra. Yet another youngster, Yrjo Vesterinen, with a 247, wins the Finnish Trial Championship.
The British Formula IV Championship is won by a rider with a great future, using a 250cc Montesa engine in his car. It is Tony Brise, who unfortunately would meet his death years later in a plane crash with the late Graham Hill, while he was preparing to participate in the Formula 1 World Championship. That same year, two young and already established riders of British Trial teams joined the Montesa team: Ian Haydon and Rob Edwards.
But it was Gordon Farley who finally won the prestigious British Championship in 1971. By then, the sport of Trial is in full expansion, from England, to the whole world. Due to the technical participation of the Spanish industry – with Montesa, Bultaco and Ossa – trial ceased to be a kind of winter pastime and became a new sport with a great market and harsh competition. Its practice was supported by a great number of highly prepared international riders, while all over the world clubs organizing new trial events for the international calendar were making an effort to find new and harder circuits for the newly enhanced machines, generally Spanish, which were already being manufactured especially for the practice of trial.
With all this going on, trial competitions no longer take place only during winter but throughout the year, becoming real spectacles of showmanship and becoming events of massive public attendance all over the world. To satisfy the youngest “fans”, Montesa launched the Cota 25, a small reproduction of the Cota 247, making children's trial become incredibly popular, with races for children in areas specially designed for them. Jordi Tarrés and Alex Crivillé learned to ride a motorbike with those little Montesa.
To mark the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the company, Pere Permanyer hired the sculptor José Mª Subirachs to create a splendid monument, which would be placed in the courtyard of the Montesa production plant in Esplugues de Llobregat. The monument bears the signatures of all the workers of Montesa and consists of a “mass” of historical pieces welded together, which are held between two rectangular columns where the names of all the models made are inscribed.
A great international motocross rider joined the Montesa team at the end of 1971. It was the Finnish rider Kalevi Vehkonen. With the base of a Cappra 250 MX, he will achieve excellent results in the classifying tests for the disputed World Championship of motocross in 1972, it was also the first European motorcycle classified behind the Japanese bikes of Joel Robert (Suzuki), Hakan Anderson (Yamaha) and Silvain Geboers (Suzuki).
It is the year of the presentation of the Cota 123, the younger sister of the 247. In the first edition of the Trial of the Three Days of Santigosa, a competition organized in the style of the 6 Days of Scotland, Pere Pi wins with a motorcycle of this model, in spite of competing with Sherpas and Cotas of greater capacity. The Alguersuari-Escobosa team wins the European Endurance Championship by winning, in its category, the 24 Hours of Montjuic and the French “Bol d'Or”.
The decade of the 70s was a brilliant period for business, thanks to the success of the extensive range of trial models and the competitive motocross Cappra models. The best trial riders in the world were competing to enter the official Montesa teams, which were successively expanded with riders of the stature of Rob Shepherd, Geoff Chandler, Malcolm Rathmell, among others. Meanwhile, the Japanese manufacturers, who were already producing very competitive road motorcycles in terms of price, began to greatly improve their quality and performance, so much so, that they gradually earned the trust of the world markets and because of this, the British industry in the sector, which was until then the world's leading exporter of road motorcycles, entered a process of crisis from which it would no longer emerge.
Suzuki was the first Japanese brand to enter the international arena of cross-country competition and in 1970 won its first World Championship with Joel Robert. Yamaha and Honda would follow closely behind. The latter tested its first prototypes under the name Elsinore on the California cross tracks at the end of 1972, with the intention of entering the American market. It was becoming clear that the international competition was getting stronger, meaning that the company had to adapt its industrial structure to achieve maximum competitiveness. Strategically, Montesa planned a decentralization of its production centers trying to achieve greater efficiency and flexibility.
Thus, different societies are created: Dentex S.A. for the manufacture of gears; Tonova S.A. for the manufacture and assembly of engines; Comec S.A., which produces front suspensions and frames; Cyser S.A., which deals with marketing; and Motocicletas Montesa which, at the Esplugues facilities, carries out the final assembly of the motorcycles. The same production plant also houses the research, development, and competition departments. The group of companies has up to 650 employees. Meanwhile, in 1973, Benny Sellman won the Swedish National Trial Championship, Jean Marie Lejeune won the Belgian National Trial Championship and Felix Krähnstover the German National Trial Championship. But the Spanish championship resists itself, neither Jaume Subirá, Miquel Cirera, or Pere Ollé managing to overcome Manuel Soler with his Bultaco.
In 1974 the Cota 172 was displayed at the Paris Motor Show. It was designed based on the structure of the 123 but with 21 and 18-inch wheels and an engine “increased” to 153cc. This idea for a trial bike would prove to be the most successful later on, but at this time Montesa still preferred an engine with a larger capacity, and in 1976 the long-awaited Cota 348 appeared. The 125cc category is known for being a promotional category for young riders. That is why the brand came up with the idea of organizing the 125cc Montesa Trophy so all these young riders could use the Cappra 125.
The success of the event is so good and the number of entries so high that before the competitions themselves they set up a multitude of qualifying rounds and play-offs to determine which riders can make it to the final. This promotional formula will produce outstanding riders, such as Toni Arcarons who will win the 75cc and 125cc National Trophies in 1976 and the 250cc and 500cc Spanish Championships in 1980.
The motocross models evolve from a replica of the bike Vehkonen used in the 1972 season. Thus, the Cappra 250 VR from 1973 would give way to the first VR75 version, the Cappra 250 VA in 1975, and the VB in 1976. The unforgettable Fernando Muñoz, who won several Spanish 250cc and 500cc Championships in 1976 and 1977, is considered to be the Spanish rider in history who has achieved the best results in World Championship races. Michel Combes, the French 500cc champion is also an outstanding rider of this era. But Montesa's most important acquisition was the Swedish rider Hakan Anderson, who had an excellent season in the 250cc world championship of 1976, and the following year in the 500cc class, his most outstanding result being an individual victory in the Motocross of Nations which was held in France the same year.
Another of Montesa's most important victories was achieved by the Belgian Raymond Boven at the Grand Prix de Cross held on April 3rd, 1977 at the Sabadell-Terrassa circuit, when he won the first race and the absolute classification of the Grand Prix ahead of the KTMs ridden by Russians Moiseev and Kavinov, the Husqvarna of Carlson, the Maico of H. Maisch or the CZ of the Czech J. Falta, placing him at the top of the World Championship classification. In 1977, the young rider Carlos Mas joined the Montesa All-Terrain team. This was a specialty Montesa had not yet achieved any relevant championship as its riders, Casanovas, Sucarrats, and Bellsolá had not managed to surpass the superior skill of Narcís Casas. But that changed radically with Carlos Mas as he led his Montesa Enduro to victory in the Spanish Championship in 1979, a victory that he would renew six more times. The different versions of the Enduro 360H6 to 360 H7 were also a notable sales success and contributed to the popularity of the All-Terrain vehicle even at a time when Trial was the most popular specialty.
Anticipating the end of the popular off-road trend, a new touring model, the Crono, was introduced in 1978 in 75 and 125cc versions. In 1981 the Crono 350, a touring bike with a classic design, was released and in 1982 the decision was made to produce the Impala 2, a version with alloy wheels and electronic ignition, from the series that had been discontinued in 1972.
With the Cota 348 and later with the Cota 349, outstanding triumphs were achieved in trial, such as Malcolm Rathmell's victories in the Six Days of Scotland in 1979 and the historic first victory of a non-British rider in this event by Yrjo Vesterinen, with a Montesa in 1980. The American Marland Whaley was crowned Trial Champion twice in the United States, the last time in 1980 with a Cota 349 that is kept for display in the Museum of the foundation. Later Curt Comer in 1981 and Scott Head in 1984 would repeat this victory for Montesa.
But the most awaited victory came in 1980, with Ulf Karlson, who became World Champion with the prototype of what would be the future Cota 349. To understand the importance of this, one has only to look at the competitiveness of the World Championship at the time, the final classification including in its top 10 having drivers from six countries, with six different brands. Montesa would win the title of brands this year and next.
In 1982, Toni Gorgot joined the Montesa team and in 1983 achieved the first major victory that was completely Spanish in the Six Days of Scotland, proof that the Spanish bikes Montesa (with Rathmell and Vesterinen), Bultaco (with Sam Miller) and Ossa (with Mick Andrews) had won repeatedly. But in 1982, Gorgot was the first Spanish rider, with Montesa, who managed to inscribe his name in that legendary race, riding a “Cota 349”.
Montesa decided to introduce trial bicycles into the market, with the aim of diversifying the product. This new sport, called Trialsín by Montesa, is a real school for future champions. A. Codina, J. Tarrés, and M. Colomer will come from this school. However, at the end of the 1980s, Spain entered a strong economic crisis and the motorcycle sector was doubly affected by the growing competition of Japanese brands in foreign markets.
Bultaco and Ossa, Montesa's traditional competitors, are forced to close their factories. Other smaller factories had already closed. Thankfully, Montesa had anticipated this situation and before reaching it, it had made an enormous effort to acquire, outside of Spain, an endowment of super-modern equipment and machinery to improve its products following the most advanced technologies. Faced with the dilemma of abandoning or surpassing itself, the company secured bank loans for the aforementioned industrial renovation, necessary to manufacture a better product at lower costs, which would allow it to compete on the world market against the most technically advanced international industry.
The new technologies and the drop in sales figures due to the crisis meant that the workforce was reduced, but external conditions were not the best for accepting such a measure, which was necessary for the company's survival. There were strikes and little institutional protection at key moments (in 1980 there was a strike that kept the company inactive for 3 months, something that today seems inconceivable). The financial situation became critical, investments in new models had to be stopped and finally, the company went into receivership in September 1983.
Thanks to Montesa's solid commercial and industrial organization, it managed to avoid total closure by reaching an agreement with Honda Motor in 1982. Thus, a new company was set up, called Montesa Honda S.A. with the commitment, on the part of Honda, to market special versions manufactured under the acronym MH of the popular Cota 125, 200 and 349 models, which were distributed through its sales network in Europe.
For its part, Montesa Honda S.A. used Montesa's Spanish sales network to sell its units. The Esplugues plant started production of the Honda MBX model in a 75cc version to sell it in the domestic market. This agreement was completed on July 1, 1986, with the absorption by Montesa Honda, S.A. of the remaining Montesa facilities and workers. The shared capital was finally decided with 88% owned by Honda Motor and 12% by the Spanish partners. The objective of this company would be the production, distribution, and sale of motorcycles under the Honda and Montesa brands. Unfortunately, and totally unexpectedly, Pere Permanyer died on March 20, 1987, at the age of 75, and on April 3, a few days later, he was no longer able to preside the official inauguration of a “renovated” facilities in Esplugues. The President of the Generalitat, Jordi Pujol, attended the event and spoke movingly in memory of Pere Permanyer Puigjaner, whom he cited as one of the most important faces of the Catalan industry.
On behalf of Honda, Mr. Kume, president of Honda Motor, attended. During the first year, the new company puts into production the Honda MTX 75/50, and in March of 87 what would become the very popular Honda Scoopy, both transferred from the production plant that Honda has in Belgium. In addition, the Cota 304/125, Enduro 360H7, Enduro 80, and Impala 2 models are produced with abundant success under the Montesa brand. In January 1987, the new Cota 335 entered the market, and in November of the same year, the Cota 307, which can be considered the first of a generation of Cota, with the “123” engine, a truly competitive model at World Championship level and one that would definitively displace the “348” base engine models.
Riders Philippe Berlatier in 1987 and Eddy Lejeune in 1988 both took the World Championship races with a Cota 307. With the introduction of the Cota 314 in October 1993 and especially the Cota 315 in 1997, an important step forward was taken in the competitiveness of the trial models. The engine, designed in Japan by HRC in collaboration with the Montesa competition department, allowed Marc Colomer to win the 1996 Trial World Championship.
Montesa wins the Trial World Championship in 2000 with the rider Dougie Lampkin (son of former World Champion Martin Lampkin), as well as taking the first three positions in the Championship with T. Fujinami second and Marc Colomer third. Doug Lampkin succeeded in winning four consecutive outdoor world championships (2000-2003). T. Fujinami, “Fujigas”, managed to do so in 2004, while Toni Bou, in his debut as a rider of the brand, won both the indoor and outdoor world titles in 2007. Laia Sanz, also a member of Montesa-HRC, has won the women's world championship since 2000.
Montesa, today
Montesa Honda's production plant was moved to Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, next to the company's commercial headquarters, in 2000. In this new phase, the plant specializes in the production of large-capacity motorcycles, such as the popular Deauville, Transalp or the XL1000V Varadero, the largest model ever made in Spain. In addition to the Honda models, the factory continues to manufacture trial motorcycles. In this regard, it is worth noting that the Cota 315R was the last Montesa model to be equipped with a 2-stroke engine.
Thus, taking advantage of the synergy of technology between Montesa and Honda, by 2004 the brand had already established itself as the great contender of the four-stroke in trial. It was in that year that it launched the revolutionary Cota 4RT, putting aside its production of 2-stroke trial mechanics. Montesa once again proved its tremendous insight into the future, and its commitment to society and the environment, with a motorcycle that is a technological benchmark that enjoys an excellent reputation for performance, quality, and efficiency.
The Cota 4RT was born taking advantage of Honda's technical experience with the CRF 250R cross, being a pioneer in Montesa selling a trial frame bike with PGM-FI electronic injection. It also does not use a battery, minimizing the weight of the assembly and simplifying its design. The 4RT has the advantages of a valve’s engine, compared to a 2T, such as its greater traction or not having to make a mixture for gasoline, while significantly reducing its level of emissions.
For the cycle part, it remained faithful to the aluminum chassis that had already been used on the Cota 311, 314R, and 315R for years, although it had a new design, as well as resorting to premium materials such as Showa suspension. Without a doubt, the quality of the components and finish of the bike is unquestionable. Highly valued for its great reliability and strength, the 4RT is very well regarded by trial enthusiasts.
After the 2007 world economic crisis, motorcycle sales plummeted and many of the national manufacturers were forced to close their doors forever. In 2010 the production of Honda motorcycles manufactured until then in the Santa Perpètua plant is moved to the brand's factory in Atessa (Italy). But far from giving up, Montesa knows the way to recovery once again and reinvents its industry. As of this year, Montesa Honda's production function is based on the manufacture of both Montesa and Honda trial motorcycles exclusively for the entire world, while also incorporating the manufacture of components for the various business areas of the Honda group (Cars, Motorcycles and Power Products). The Montesa Honda factory thus integrates industrial processes such as plastic injection, steel and aluminum welding, painting and assembly of motorcycles and components.
With a clear vocation for growth, in 2016, and without losing its signs of identity, Montesa decided to present the 4RIDE, a model that arrived on the market to recover a concept that the brand itself began with, models such as the trial version of the Cota 247 or the Cota 348 and that it consolidated with the Evasión. It was a motorcycle focused on trial-excursion. The 4RIDE takes up the adventurous side of Cota: more comfort with a wide, raised seat, greater range with a larger fuel tank, greater versatility by allowing you to carry some load and higher speed for riding in greater comfort. All this while maintaining the trial skills in technical steps as a fundamental premise.
On the other hand, the iconic Montesa Cota would celebrate its half-century of life in 2018, launching a special version of the Cota 50th Anniversary, based on the Cota 300RR. This is the only model of motorcycle marketed uninterruptedly in Spain since 1968. Its successful formula is based on R&D efforts and high technological quality, adapting to the market needs and the taste of trial riders at all times. That is how the Montesa Cota is the longest-lasting motorcycle manufactured in Spain and the only motorcycle, not a scooter, that has been in continuous production in Europe for five decades.
In 2019, Montesa surprised everybody with the announcement of the new Cota 301RR, a model that replaces the 300RR and aims to bring it even closer to the world champion competition bike. The 301RR is the most powerful mass-produced Cota. It is a motorcycle designed to compete, hence its name RR (Race Ready). The model has the proven experience inherited from the competition machines used by the Montesa riders in the World Trial Championship, from which it adopts most of its components and technical solutions.
In all its history, from 1945 to 2019, Montesa Honda has amassed a total production of 1,280,000 units, 445,000 units under the Montesa brand, and 835,000 units under the Honda brand. In its 75 years of history, Montesa can proudly boast of maintaining, year after year without interruption, the production of a model with the brand's emblem. This is, without a doubt, completely unprecedented in the motor industry at a national level, it being one of the longest-lasting motorcycle brands in the world.
Montesa currently manufactures the Cota 4Ride, Cota 301RR, Cota 4RT260, the Cota Race Replica & Honda RTL models exclusively for the entire world. It also manufactures components for the three divisions of the Honda group (cars, motorcycles, and power products).
Today, the Montesa facility is part of a conglomerate of companies of the Honda group, located in the town of Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, where, in addition to the Montesa Honda production plant and offices, the car and motorcycle division of Honda Motor Europe Spain, the financial division Honda Bank GmbH Spain, the Honda Safety Institute, the headquarters of the Repsol Honda Team de trial, the headquarters of HRC in Europe and the Honda Motor Europe Logistics Center are located.
Montesa is also an iconic brand at the sporting level, mostly thanks to the Cota, which has brought it more world titles than any other brand.
In May 1968 Montesa made its debut with the Cota 247 at the Scottish International Six Day Trial, with Don Smith coming in third. A year later, he won the team title. In addition, Pere Pi became the first Spanish Champion with the 247.
It is the birth of a mythical binomial in the world of motorsport: Montesa and trial. Montesa is a world reference in motorsport of all times, accumulating 70 world titles (22 of brands and 48 of riders). Toni Bou, Cota's best ally, has won the last 26 world trials championships – both Indoor (now called XTrial) and Outdoor (now called TrialGP).
Along with Toni Bou, who has been winning titles without interruption since 2007, there are 22 other riders: Ulf Karlson, 1; Marc Colomer, 3; Dougie Lampkin, 6; Takahisa Fujinami, 1; Laia Sanz, 8; Alfredo Gómez, 1 Junior; Matteo Grattarola, 1; Gabriel Marcelli, 1.
This is the best example of the quality and innovation of the products resulting from the Montesa-Honda alliance, applied to the most demanding market: high competition.
It is also worth mentioning that both Honda and Montesa are the only motorcycles in the World Trial Championship (outdoor and indoor) to be equipped with 4-stroke technology. The results obtained in both categories once again demonstrate the great reliability and competitiveness of these models, despite the handicap of competing against machines that are in theory lighter 2-stroke machines. From then until today, the successes obtained in competition only reinforce this philosophy.
But beyond the commercial and competitive successes, Montesa continues to be a brand that, 75 years later, continues to raise passions. Montesa's popularity among trial enthusiasts is considerable, but not only in this field. The Catalan brand continues to arouse the enthusiasm of many people who admire and value its historic models, which have now become collector's items and are much sought after by lovers of old and classic motorcycles.
In this sense, it is worth mentioning the permanent exhibition that the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia (mNACTEC) has been exhibiting in Terrassa since 2017, consisting of some 70 motorcycles – apart from bicycles and engines -, more than 400 graphic documents and various emblematic objects such as trophies, helmets, suits, drawings, posters, and advertising posters and audiovisual material, all of which are distributed over some 1,100 m2 of surface area. The exhibition, which is based on the collections of the Pere Permanyer Collection, deposited at mNACTEC, tells the history of Montesa from its beginnings, paying special attention to its most significant technical, social and sporting milestones such as Operación Impala, Operación Crono, the 24 Hours of Montjuïc, the various production plants, exports worldwide, advertising, etc., up until the creation of Montesa-Honda SA in 1986.
In 2014 the new Design Museum was opened in Barcelona, in an emblematic building built for this purpose called Disseny Hub, whose collection includes, in addition to a Cota 247, a Montesa Impala. The Impala, in particular, is considered to be one of the distinctive symbols of Barcelona. Its users have turned it into a living element, habitually present in the urban landscape. Far from going out of fashion, it is a motorbike that has been passed from parents to children and even grandchildren, becoming a true intergenerational vehicle.
The Montesa Impala has also generated plenty of literature with hundreds of articles in the press and half a dozen books on its history, technique, competition, travel stories, and interviews with related characters, as well as a documentary feature. It has even been reproduced in miniature at various scales, as a model for collectors and fans.
But if there is something that has been decisive for its recovery, conservation and promotion it is the Moto Club Impala, founded in Barcelona in 1997 by a group of Impala fans, with the aim of keeping the model alive. This association, which today has more than 400 members, carries out numerous activities every year among which the Impala stands out. The formula is well established: a route of about 200 km on roads with little traffic, where the Impala can show off its virtues – stability, comfort, reliability – all while its drivers enjoy the scenery.
In the image and likeness of the Impalada, but with a more trial-like spirit, an event was born in the year 2000 that periodically brings together all the Montesa fans of yesterday and today: the Montesada. This meeting organized by the Montesa Club and the Moto Club Tona is held every October in the town of Tona (Barcelona). The Montesada's program of activities is very complete and usually includes various exhibitions, excursions, displays, and, especially, a trial designed for all levels of riding in which those registered have the unique opportunity to ride alongside champions Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami.
History, technology, design, industry, competition, even lifestyle… Montesa continues to be fully active and present not only in our culture but also in the daily life of our society. We hope that it will remain so for many more years to come: Viva Montesa!
Simply enter your email address below to receive our latest racing news & offers.
