Moto Guzzi 500cc factory racer Fergus Anderson Isle of Man TT 1955 photo

Description

A superb and rare photo, made from what we believe is the original negative, of the magnificent
Fergus Anderson
, seen in action with his
500cc Moto Guzzi d.o.h.c. factory GP racer (nr. 37)
during practice for the
1955
500cc
Isle of Man
Senior T.T.
Anderson is seen riding the nr. 37 Guzzi. This bike was designated to be raced by Dickie Dale. As 1955 Guzzi racing team manager, it was not uncommon for
Anderson
to try out his teammates bikes. The 1955 Senior 500cc TT was won by Geoff Duke on a Gilera four.
Scotsman
Fergus
Anderson
was one of the most liked riders of the famous Continental Circus Grand Prix racing scene. And he won twice the 350cc World Championship with a machine he initiated.
Anderson
was one of the first riders from
Great Britain
to make his living racing motorcycles on the European continent. In 1950 he signed with
Moto
Guzzi
and competed in the 250cc class. He convinced
Moto
Guzzi
to build a 350cc bike, initially of 320cc, then 345cc and finally a proper full 350. He raced to the 1953 world championship in the bike's first year of competition. He repeated this feat as 350cc champion again in 1954. His 350cc world championship wins were the first by a non-British bike. He retired from racing to become
Moto
Guzzi
's team manager, but unfortunately quit over a for him rightful dispute over having a freer hand at running the team. He returned to racing and was offered a ride by the BMW factory.
Anderson
ever so sadly passed away during the 500cc race at the Belgian circuit of Floreffe in 1956.
Moto Guzzi
, also known as Guzzi, is the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production. Established in
1921 in
Mandello del Lario
,
Italy
, Moto Guzzi has led
Italy
's motorcycling manufacture, enjoyed prominence in worldwide motorcycle racing, and led the industry in ground-breaking innovation – for the greater part of its history. The company's history has been shaped by the importance of racing, engineering innovation and a constant adaptation to the changes in the motorcycle industry since its inception 1921. Moto Guzzi was conceived by two aircraft pilots and their mechanic serving in the Corpo Aeronautico Militare (the Italian Air Corp,
CAM
) during World War I: Carlo Guzzi, Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgio Parodi. By happenstance assigned to the same Miraglia Squadron based outside
Venice
, the three became close, despite starkly different socio-economic backgrounds. The trio envisioned creating a motorcycle company after the war. Guzzi would engineer the motor bikes, Parodi (son of wealthy Genovese ship-owners) would finance the venture, and Ravelli (already a famous pilot and motocycle racer) would promote the bikes with his racing prowess. Guzzi and Parodi (along with Parodi's brother) formed Moto Guzzi in 1921. Ravelli, ironically, had died just days after the war's end in an aircraft crash and is commemorated by the eagle's wings that form the Moto Guzzi logo. Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi, along with Giorgio's brother Angelo, created a privately held silent partnership "Società Anonima Moto Guzzi" on 15 March 1921, for the purpose of (according to the original articles of incorporation) "the manufacture and the sale of motor cycles and any other activity in relation to or connected to metallurgical and mechanical industry". The formation of the company hinged on an initial loan of two thousand Lira from the Parodis' father, Emanuele Vittorio, which he gave on 3 January 1919, offering the balance of the loan upon his review of the project's progress: Dear Giorgio, you can let both your partners know that I will offer you for your first 1,500 or 2,000 Lire. Although with the condition that the sum, under no circumstances, shall be increased. Likewise, I reserve the right to supervise your progress before giving my agreement to this project. The company was legally based in
Genoa
,
Italy
, with its headquarters in Mandello. The very earliest motorcycle bore the name G.P. (Guzzi-Parodi), though when it started the marque had changed its name to Moto Guzzi. As the only actual shareholders, the Parodi's wanted to shield their shipping fortunes by avoiding confusion of name G.P. with Giorgio Parodi's initials. Carlo Guzzi initially received royalties for each motorcycle produced, holding no ownership in the company that bore his name. In 1946 Moto Guzzi formally incorporated as Moto Guzzi S.p.A. with Giorgio Parodi as chairman. Carlo Guzzi's first engine design was a horizontal single that dominated the first 45 years of the company's history in various configurations.
This is a very nice and very rare
non period
photo that reflects a wonderful era of Moto Guzzi ‘s rich motorcycle history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x
30 cm
). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing!
Check out our other Ebay auctions or contact us for more Moto Guzzi and other motorcycle images
and use the shipping discount! You can always contact us for any requests. Please check out our Ebay auctions and take advantage of our shipping discount!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.