The Garelli Capri was a light moped of 1959–1968, built by Agrati, the frame manufacturer that took over Garelli in 1961. The name was used again forty years later for a Chinese-built 50 cc scooter.
Garelli Capri at a glance
| Maker | Agrati, then Garelli from 1961 |
|---|---|
| Production | 1959–1968 |
| Type | moped / light motoscooter |
| Engines | Garelli, Minarelli and Sachs |
| Cooling | forced air from a fan |
| Sister model | Agrati Como, same bike on taller spoked wheels |
| Built at | Cortenuova, Monticello Brianza |
| Badge after 1961 | Agrati only |
| Later namesake | Garelli Capri 50 and LX 50 scooters, 2006–2008 |
The 1959–1968 Capri is described in the Italian article on the Garelli company; the 2006–2008 namesake comes from German Wikipedia. They are two different machines.
History of the Garelli Capri
An Agrati design with Garelli engines
When Garelli was acquired by Agrati in 1961, Agrati had already been building its own Capri motoscooter since 1959. Some versions used Garelli engines, others Minarelli or Sachs units, all with cylinders cooled by air blown by a fan. The Capri and the contemporary Como — the same machine on taller spoked wheels — remained in production at the Cortenuova works at Monticello Brianza until 1968, by then under the Agrati badge alone.
The name returns
Between 2006 and 2008 the revived Garelli sold two scooters called Capri 50 and LX 50. They were developed under the direction of Paolo Berlusconi and built in China, then distributed through the former Garelli works in Italy. All versions had a stepless transmission and were designed for city use. Apart from the name, they have nothing in common with the 1950s moped.
Design and features
- Fan cooling: the engine cylinder was cooled by air blown by a fan, as on many small Italian mopeds of the period.
- Three engine suppliers: Garelli, Minarelli and Sachs units were fitted to different versions.
- Agrati badge: after the 1961 takeover the Capri was sold under the Agrati name until 1968.
- Sister model: the Como was the same machine on taller spoked wheels.
Garelli Capri versions
- Capri (1959–1968): the original Agrati moped with a choice of engines.
- Como: the same bike on taller spoked wheels.
- Capri 50 (2006–2008): a Chinese-built city scooter with a stepless transmission.
- LX 50 (2006–2008): the second version of the later namesake scooter.
Other Garelli mopeds of the same era are described in the Garelli Mosquito and Garelli Gulp articles. More machines are in the Garelli collection.
Video: 1964 Agrati Garelli Capri
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Garelli, Italian Wikipedia: Agrati takeover, Capri and Como, engines, end of production
- Garelli Capri, German Wikipedia: the 2006–2008 Capri 50 and LX 50 scooters
