Alpha (motorcycle)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founder | Nilo Maso Miró |
| Defunct | 1957 |
| Headquarters | Barcelona , Spain |
| Products | Motorcycles, motocarros, auxiliary bicycle engines, distribution tricycles |
Alpha was a Spanish motorcycle and motocarro manufacturer based in Barcelona, established by Nilo Maso Miró in 1924 and operating until 1957.
History
Nilo Masó Miró, who had experience as a racing driver, founded his motorcycle production company in Barcelona in 1924. The initial models featured 175 cc and 250 cc two-stroke engines supplied by Villiers and DKW. Prior to the Spanish Civil War, Alpha gained recognition as one of Spain’s foremost motorcycle producers, noted particularly for the attractive design of its vehicles.
Following the war, with strict limitations on importing foreign components, the company, like many others at the time, shifted focus toward refurbishing former military motorcycles and manufacturing auxiliary bicycle engines.[1]
MV Alpha
Count Domenico Agusta aimed to broaden the international presence of the MV Agusta brand. However, under Franco's regime in post-Civil War Spain, motorcycle imports were prohibited, and foreign entrepreneurs were barred from establishing businesses or residing in the country. Mario and Natale Corando sought to produce MV motorcycles locally under license through a factory that already held manufacturing permits and access to materials. They reached an agreement with Nilo Masó of Alpha. To fund this initiative, Enrique Favier and Antonio Sommariva joined as partners, leading to the creation of MV Alpha in 1948.[2]
The initial MV Alpha models featured a 125 cc two-stroke engine and were available in standard, luxury (lujo), and sports versions. The power outputs were 3.2 bhp for standard models and 4.5 bhp for sports variants, achieving top speeds of approximately 60 km/h and 70 km/h respectively. Later on, a smaller 98 cc model was introduced.[2] While sales performed well, Alpha’s limited production capacity hindered expansion. Consequently, in 1951, the license to manufacture MV motorcycles was transferred to the larger Avello factory located in Gijón’s Natahoyo district in Asturias, which led to the establishment of the MV Avello brand.[1]
Demise
The revocation of the MV license marked the onset of Alpha workshops' deterioration. In 1953, Alpha took part in developing the Evycsa motorcycle, which featured four-stroke FITA-AMC engines. Additionally, the company manufactured distribution tricycles powered by OSSA and Hispano Villiers engines, as well as a lightweight 175cc motorcycle influenced by the design of the BSA Bantam. Ultimately, the manufacturing facility ceased operations in 1957.
Resurrection
In 2014, the Alpha brand was revived with entirely Spanish ownership, focusing on producing motorcycles and electric bicycles. Their plans included creating a café racer inspired by the Ducati 800SS and styled after racers from the Bonneville Salt Flats. Alongside this, an electric bicycle resembling the Bultaco Brinco was also in development. The enterprise was based in the Province of Pontevedra.
By 2017, the company had launched ultralight carbon fiber brake discs for bicycles, touted as some of the lightest on the market, weighing between 32 and 70 grams depending on size.
References
Bibliography
- Herreros, Francisco; Aznar, José Luis (1998). "Relación de las principales marcas". In Herreros, Francisco (ed.). Historia del motociclismo en España (in español). RACC Club. ISBN 9788492088652.