Gilera · 1948–1957
Gilera 500 Four (Quattro Cilindri): history and buyer’s guide
The four-cylinder racer that won six world championships.
History
The Quattro Cilindri was a racer, not a road bike, but it defined Gilera’s image. Piero Remor designed it in 1947. Between 1950 and 1957 it won six 500 cc world titles: Umberto Masetti in 1950 and 1952, Geoff Duke in 1953, 1954 and 1955, and Libero Liberati in 1957. It also won the Nations Grand Prix seven times.
At the end of 1957 Gilera withdrew from road racing, as did Moto Guzzi and Mondial. The four made a comeback from 1963 to 1966; the 1963 version reached around 250 km/h with a half fairing. Its inline-four layout later inspired MV Agusta and the Japanese fours.
Key facts
| Engine | inline four, four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 499.5 cc |
| Top speed | approx. 250 km/h (1963) |
| 500 cc world titles | 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957 |
| Designer | Piero Remor |
What to check when buying
- You will almost never be offered an original works racer: they are in museums and major collections. If one is offered, have its provenance checked by experts.
- Replicas have been built. A replica is fine, as long as it is sold as one and priced accordingly.
- Want the feeling for less money? Look at a Saturno or a B300, or visit the Museo Piaggio in Pontedera.
- Even loose parts are extremely rare; be critical of anything offered as ‘original’.
Nederlandse versie: Gilera 500 Four (Quattro Cilindri) in het Nederlands
More English guides
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