MDS took the plunge in to motorcycle manufacture in 1954 in the hands of brothers Giacomo, Mario and Tonino Scoccimarro, from Trani, Puglia. The MDS Scoccimarro Moto, with a logo displaying three horses, was presented in June 1955, powered by a 65cc 3-speed OHV four-stroke engine of their own design with the barrel cast in unit with the horizontally split alloy engine cases.
In November of 1955 the Motoretta 65 scooter appeared along with the motoleggera 75 Sport model, and was followed in June 1956 by the 75c Turismo. December 1956 saw the arrival of the 75 Turismo Veloce with 20″ wheels.
These lightweight motorcycles had a three-speed gearbox with twistgrip control, the 75 Sports model having a 4-speed gearbox with pedal control on the left side of the engine.
In 1956 a 75cc competition SOHC machine was introduced, with a top speed of 120 km/h.
A lack of reliable data makes it difficult to give accurate production figures for MDS, but it is believed that fewer than 1,500 MDS bikes of all specification were built before production ceased in 1961.
The 1957 MDS 75cc Turismo Veloce on offer here was purchased in 2016 from a collector in Nevada in running condition. It was then drained of fluids and placed on static display in our vendor’s collection. In absolutely original condition, it achieved a 1st Place in the Original and Unrestored Class at the 2017 Hanford Vintage Motorcycle Rally.
Engine no. 6038
Frame no. 6038
Location: Danville, California
