Italian three-wheelers · 1946–1980
Moto Guzzi Ercole: history and buying advice
For 34 years the Ercole was Moto Guzzi’s heavy workhorse.
History
Straight after the war, in 1946, came the Ercole (Hercules). It was a sturdy three-wheeler with Guzzi’s 500 cc single, five forward gears, one reverse and fan cooling. It could carry up to 1,500 kilos, which made it ideal for rebuilding Italy.
The Ercole stayed in production for a very long time, until 1980. Later versions got the Falcone engine and an electric starter, and from 1960 it was available with a closed cab.
In the same period Guzzi tried the even heavier Edile (1946–1947), with a box-section frame and 500 cc engine, without suspension. That was not a success and disappeared as early as 1947.
Key data
| Engine | Single cylinder, 500 cc, four-stroke; later Falcone engine |
|---|---|
| Gears | 5 forward, 1 reverse |
| Cooling | air, with fan |
| Payload | 1,500 kg |
| Cab | available from 1960 |
| Years | 1946–1980 |
What to check when buying
- Check whether it has an open or closed cab and whether that is original.
- Check the fan and the air ducting; without good cooling the engine overheats.
- Test all the gears and reverse, also with a little weight in the bed.
- Watch for rust and cracks in the chassis and at the load bed mountings.
- The engine is similar to the Falcone’s; so many engine parts can still be found.
SourcesWikipedia: Moto Guzzi Triporteurs (English)Cybermotorcycle: Moto Guzzi motocarri (English)Motor Web Museum: Ercole (English)