1979 Moto Guzzi 350 GTS
Frame no. 13811
Engine no. 012880

'The De Tomaso purchase of Moto Guzzi saw the range expand to include a number of re-badged Benellis that were only superficially associated with Mandello del Lario.' - Ian Falloon, 'The Moto Guzzi Story'. Revitalised following its take-over in 1971 by Argentine industrialist Alejandro De Tomaso, Benelli launched a range of new four- and six-cylinder sports bikes. With the addition of Moto Guzzi to the De Tomaso empire in 1973, some of these were marketed as Moto Guzzis, much to the dismay of the marque's aficionados. The first of these Honda-inspired machines was the Benelli 500 Quattro of 1974, which despite its Oriental-looking power unit was thoroughly Italian in all other respects, boasting a rigid cradle frame, powerful Grimeca drum brakes and alloy wheel rims. In 350cc form this engine powered the basically similar Moto Guzzi 350 GTS. The latter was enlarged to 400cc in 1975, a front disc brake being adopted at the same time, and in 400 GTS form lasted until 1979. Benelli's smallest four, the 231cc Quattro, was also badged as a Moto Guzzi, the '254'. Currently displaying a total of only 11,386 kilometres (approximately 7,000 miles) on the odometer, this rare Moto Guzzi four is presented in generally excellent original condition. The machine is offered with Netherlands registration papers.