Celebrating motoring heritage also means recognising the companies that have played a key role in shaping it. Across transport and engineering innovation to motorsport, one company that truly stands out is Moto Guzzi, the oldest European motorcycle company in continuous production.
Against this backdrop, the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) and FIVA’s National Member (ANF) in Italy, the Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI), came together from September 3–6, 2026, to celebrate the 105th Anniversary of this iconic company. The celebrations, held as “Guzzi World Days”, took place near the renovated factory in Mandello del Lario, where Moto Guzzi motorcycles have been produced since the company was founded in 1921.
Among the highlights of the first day of celebrations were three exhibitions. The first, “The People of Guzzi”, offered an overview of the company’s most popular and widely produced models, followed by “The Stars of the Guzzi Firmament”, featuring the company’s sporting models. The day concluded with the retrospective “Parlotti’s Winning Machines”, which provided a fascinating insight into the Slovenian brand Tomos.
On the second day of the celebrations, a panel discussion explored the theme “The Factory as a City”, serving as both a tribute to and an overview of Moto Guzzi and Tomos, as well as the impact the two companies had in their respective markets. The day concluded with the screening of three documentary films: “Tomos, Capodistria”, “Il Coraggio di Andare Oltre” (The Courage to Dare Beyond) and “Viaggio oltre la meta” (Journey Beyond the Destination).
On September 5 one of the most memorable moments of the event took place, when thousands of Moto Guzzi motorcycles from every era gathered to ride from the city of Lecco to the Moto Guzzi factory in Mandello del Lario. The sights and sounds of these motorcycles were a fitting tribute to Moto Guzzi and provided a memorable conclusion to a three-day celebration of an iconic brand. In Mandello del Lario, motoring heritage was not simply remembered - it was lived.
The event was attended by FIVA President Alberto Scuro and FIVA Financial Vice President Luigi Frigero. They were joined by Keith Gibbins, Director of the FIVA Motorcycle Commission, and members of the FIVA Motorcycle Commission.
The FIVA Motorcycle Commission works tirelessly to promote, protect and preserve historic motorcycles, as well as their safe and responsible use, in keeping with its motto “Classic Bikes: Ride Don’t Hide”. One of the ways in which the Commission pursues this objective is through close cooperation with other FIVA commissions, such as Legislation, in order to safeguard the right to use historic motorcycles on public roads.
The Commission also works closely with the FIVA Events Commission to create the necessary conditions for historic motorcycle events, enabling riders to make full use of their motorcycles. The three days of celebration held in Mandello del Lario offer a tangible example of the work carried out by the FIVA Motorcycle Commission in pursuit of its objectives.
As FIVA continues to champion the rights of historic motorcycle users worldwide, the work of FIVA and its Commissions serves as a model for meaningful heritage engagement: authentic, participatory and forward-looking.
By engaging with iconic manufacturers such as Moto Guzzi, FIVA is able not only to preserve and celebrate motoring heritage, but also to connect people and places with the companies that have played a key role in the development of that heritage and, in doing so, have helped shape our societies. Preserving this story for future generations lies at the heart of FIVA’s mission.
