WOLSIT 1914 3½HP 450CC 1 CYL SV 2808 SOLD

WOLSIT ca. 1914 3 ½ HP combination ca. 450 cc T.D. Cross side valve single frame # 9515 engine # 327

In January 1907 the Macchi Brothers of Varese, the Banca di and the Wolseley Motor Car Ltd. founded Wolsit (Wolseley Italiana), with the aim of producing the famous British cars in under license. The company was established in Legnano, about 18 kilometres north-west of central . For a short period cars were produced. In 1909 economic difficulties led to a closure of the company but it was taken over by business man Emilio Bozzi. In 1902 he had founded in Milan the Emilio Bozzi & Co. Bicycle factory. The brand used by Bozzi for its bicycles was “Aurora”.

V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 1 Bozzi started a joint-venture with the Milan entrepreneur and industrialist Franco Tosi to produce Wolsit bicycles and already in 1910 they managed to produce 20,000 bicycles with a production force of 300 workers. Bozzi also used other brand names such as Athena, Aura, Gerbi and Legnano-Labor. In 1914 in addition to the bicycle production a single model of motorcycle was marketed. It was built along British lines with TDC engine (built by T.D. Cross & Sons of Birmingham), Druid forks, Sturmey- Archer 3 speed hub gear, Zenith carburettor and Bosch magneto. The engine was a side valve single with bore x stroke of 80×90 mm. The machine weighed 110 kg and it could reach a top speed of 75 km/h. In 1915 the production of the same model continued although allegedly the engine of the 1915 model had a 100 mm stroke and thus a capacity of 502cc. There is very little information available about this rare motorcycle; we have actually never seen another one. Tosi left the company in 1927 and subsequently the name was changed to Legnano. For a number of years the company also produced cycle motors and mopeds. It was taken over in 1987 by Bianchi. (Main source of information: Milani, “Moto Italiani”.)

This good-looking combination has been restored and is fitted with acetylene lighting with Rejna Zenardi Milano headlamp/ generator. Note the badges on the headstock and petrol tank: they depict , a legendary warrior from the battle of Legnano that took place on , 1176. With the machine comes a facsimile of a 1920s registration book from the province of indicating that at that time a gentleman with the melodious name Signoroni Giovanni di Isidoro Salazzolo was the owner of this rare Wolsit.

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V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 2 V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 3 V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 4 V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 5 V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 6 V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 7 V.O.F. Yesterdays - www.yesterdays.nl - offi[email protected] - +31 495 54 60 54 | Page: 8 ABOUT YESTERDAYS Yesterday’s is a link with the past, particularly with motorcycles from the past. We are a straightforward organisation which aims at acquiring old motorcycles – in the broadest sense of the word – and making them available to enthusiasts of all kinds by means of sale.

After 35years of experience we claim to have an extensive knowledge of the world of antique and classic motorcycles. Our field of interest ranges from pre-1900s machines till those from the thirties and forties. We have regularly been able to provide- private enthusiasts, collectors, and museums all over the world with interesting acquisitions.

We cordially invite you to visit our site and step back in the illustrious past of motorcycling.

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Visitors by appointment from Tuesday - saturday 14.00h - 17.30h We are closed Sunday and Monday.

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