Ceccato is probably not a name that instantly springs to mind when asked to name an Italian classic motorcycle….that is, unless you are one of those in love with this lesser known little Italian gem!

Founded in the 1930’s by Pietro Ceccato, the company originally started out manufacturing industrial equipment, then turned to producing clip-on engines for bicycles and small capacity motorcycles at the end of WW II.

The company really came into its own in the early 1950’s, when in 1953, they purchased a design for a DOHC 75cc engine from none other than Fabio Taglioni, after his offer to Mondial was turned down. Although 5 DOHC race bikes were built, a modified SOHC Corsa version came to the fore and proved to be the strength of Ceccato’s racing efforts. Being much lighter in weight this type of engine, 7hp at 10,500 rpm with a top speed of 110 km/h, proved to be much more suited to long distance road races such as the Giro d’Italia. Over 500 racers were built before sadly, production came to an end in 1961 with the last of the bikes being sold in 1963. Argentina proved to be a major buyer of these bikes where they were sold under the Zanella Ceccato brand name.