The Moto Guzzi GT 17 was an Italian military motorcycle produced from 1932 to 1939. It was the first motorcycle built expressly by the Mandello company for military use, and the Mototriciclo Guzzi 32 was developed from it.
Moto Guzzi GT at a glance
| Maker | Moto Guzzi, Mandello del Lario |
|---|---|
| Production | 1932–1939 |
| Type | military motorcycle |
| Engine | 500 cc single, opposed valves |
| Gearbox | three speeds |
| Chassis | elastic frame, hence GT, Gran Turismo |
| Versions | single-seat and two-seat, with adjustable springing |
| Replaced by | Moto Guzzi GT 20 in 1939 |
| Derived vehicle | Mototriciclo Guzzi 32 |
The GT initials cover a whole series of 1930s Guzzi models, of which only the GT 17 has an article in Wikipedia. This page is based on that one source and describes the GT 17 in particular.
History of the Moto Guzzi GT
The GT 17 was the first motorcycle expressly built by the Mandello company for the army, which until then had been supplied only with a small batch of GT 16 machines adapted for the purpose, themselves with engine and frame derived from the Sport 15. The GT 17 was very robust, with a 500 cc opposed-valve engine, a three-speed gearbox and an elastic frame, from which came the GT initials, Gran Turismo.
It was delivered in single-seat and two-seat versions with adjustable springing. Some machines were fitted with a light machine gun or a heavy machine gun, and with other equipment such as luggage racks and boxes depending on the unit of destination. It was widely used by the Regio Esercito from the Ethiopian war onwards, and many examples were also delivered to the Milizia Stradale. In 1939 it was replaced by the Moto Guzzi GT 20.
Design and features
- First military Guzzi: the company’s first motorcycle designed for the army from the start.
- Robust construction: a 500 cc opposed-valve single with three speeds.
- Elastic frame: the reason for the GT name, Gran Turismo.
- Armed versions: some machines carried a light or heavy machine gun.
- TriAlce connection: the Mototriciclo Guzzi 32 was built on the GT 17 basis.
Moto Guzzi GT versions
- GT 17 Monoposto: single-seat military version with adjustable springing.
- GT 17 Biposto: two-seat version for carrying a passenger.
- Armed versions: machines with a light or heavy machine gun fitted for specific units.
- GT 20 (1939): the model that replaced the GT 17.
The GT 17 led to the Alce, the 500 cc military Guzzi of the Second World War, and its civilian descendants include the Astore. More machines are in the Moto Guzzi collection.
Sources
- Moto Guzzi GT 17, Italian Wikipedia: military history, engine, gearbox, versions
