Founded in Pesaro in 1911, Benelli originated as an artisan workshop dedicated to the repair and manufacture of mechanical components. In its early years, the business was consolidated and expanded through contracts linked to the World War I, rapidly evolving towards the complete manufacture of motorcycles. In 1921, the first Benelli motorcycle was presented, marking the company’s definitive entry into the sector. During the 1920s and 1930s, the company established itself both nationally and internationally due to the quality and performance of its motorcycles, which were equipped with four-stroke engines ranging from 175 to 500 cc and featuring overhead camshaft valve gear. This success was further reinforced by numerous sporting achievements secured by Tonino Benelli. The post-Second World War period necessitated the almost complete reconstruction of production facilities, but also marked the beginning of a new phase of industrial and commercial expansion. During the 1950s and 1960s, Benelli consolidated its production with widely distributed models alongside continued racing activities, culminating in the 1962 merger with the MotoBi marque in order to address the crisis affecting the motorcycle industry. Following a further phase of development in the 1970s within the industrial group of Alejandro De Tomaso, the company entered a period of difficulty, characterised by changes in ownership and industrial restructuring. Revitalised in the 1990s and subsequently acquired in 2005 by the Chinese Qianjiang Group, Benelli continues to maintain its design and development activities in Pesaro and remains one of the oldest and most prestigious Italian motorcycle manufacturers, symbolising both technical tradition and innovation.

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Motorcycle on temporary display, made in collaboration with the Associazione Siciliana Veicoli Storici - ASI