Aermacchi originally built aircraft in Varese. After the war scooters and motorcycles were added. The first four-stroke, the Chimera, was technically clever but sold badly. So Aermacchi took off the panels, gave the bike an ordinary rear suspension with two shocks, and enlarged the engine to 250 cc. That is how the Ala Verde (‘green wing’) was born, the sporty version of the Ala Azzurra tourer.

According to AM Klassiek the Ala Verde came out in 1959; The Classic MotorCycle gives 1960, the year it also won the Monza Six Hours. After Harley-Davidson arrived in 1960, a modified Ala Verde became the basis of the Wisconsin and the American Sprint.

The Ala Verde became popular in amateur and club racing. Production stopped in July 1972; its successor was the TV 350 (‘Turismo Veloce’).

1962/1963: stronger engine parts, better lubrication, a heavier clutch, better electrics, a stronger front fork and an optional five-speed box. The Classic MotorCycle gives 1962 for the five-speed box, AM Klassiek 1963.

1964: according to AM Klassiek a new short-stroke engine. Other sources give only the long stroke of 66 × 72 mm for the Ala Verde.

1967: new tank, mudguards, dual seat, headlamp and front fork; 18-inch wheels instead of 17-inch. With 17-inch wheels the heel-and-toe gear lever touched the ground too soon in corners.

1970: new tank, new switches, five-speed box as standard and a 19-inch front wheel. Power rose to 18 hp.

The Ala Verde is known for pleasant steering and strong low-rev pulling. In a test by The Classic MotorCycle (2013) the bike started well cold and hot and ran reliably. Early bikes did have reliability problems; these were dealt with before 1962.

The kick-starter is on the left. Many owners therefore kick it from the right-hand side.

Oil may leak a little at the clutch mechanism. A carburettor that floods on a cold start also occurs.

Originality is hard to establish. Many Ala Verdes have been converted to café racers or tuned with Ala d’Oro parts. The front brake (single or twin leading shoe) also often differs from factory specification.

The 6-volt electrics are weak by today’s standards.

Because the engine is related to the Sprint and the Wisconsin, mechanical parts can still reasonably be found through specialists, clubs and autojumbles. The British test does call imported parts expensive. Typical Ala Verde parts, such as tanks, badges and side panels, are harder to find.

Price indication: in 2018 AM Klassiek gave about €5,000 to €10,000. A converted Ala Verde café racer (c. 1967) was auctioned in Australia in 2013 for $7,300. Prices depend heavily on originality and condition; treat this as a rough indication.