Montesa

Montesa was the oldest of the four big Spanish motorcycle manufacturers that sent machines to the U. S. during the tiddler invasion of the '60's. Only four years after Montesa was founded in 1944, an economic downturn in Spain caused the racing division to sprout off to form Bultaco as Montesa continued selling production bikes. Practically all Montesas were 125cc, 175cc, or 250cc two-strokes. Although a few smaller models were built, I am not sure if any were ever exported to this country. Practically all the Montesas were 125's until the introduction of the Impala 175 in 1962.

The Impala pictured here is typical of the breed, an Impala 175 Sport. I do not know the model year. All Impalas were 175's in '62-'64, and the 250 was produced from 1965 through '69. Although the 175 continued all the way through 1971, I bet that most of the Impalas sent to the U. S. were 250's. With obvious similarities to the Bultaco Metralla and Mercurio, its obvious rivals both in the showroom and on the track, the Impala is distinguished visually by its elongated red and white tank, black covers over the front and rear suspension springs, and distinctive sliver cover behind the air cleaner. Like the Buls, the Imapala is the company's sole, consistent, pure-street model offered among a cadre of offroaders. The design of all Montesas is very simple and straightforward, leaving the weight and complication to the Japanese. Nothing to see here, folks: no oil injection, electric starters, turn signals, or heavy batteries.

The Impala did not make the Montesa brand famous. That honor probably goes to the Cota trials, Cappra motocross, and King Scorpion enduro models. I only featured the Impala here in the spirit of Tiddlerosis. We all know that rare street models, especially sporting types such as the Impala, are usually the ones lusted after by collectors and lovingly restored by enthusiasts. I would expect that most Cappras and Scorpions have long ago met their grimy, muddy ends leaned up against a pole in a cold garage somewhere. After all, that scenario describes my lovable little '71 Yamaha AT-1 MX the first time I saw it, and although it now lives in a warmer garage, you might still find a bit of dirt on its original paint job. The Cota Trials line has probably made the biggest impression on Americans, particularly those who have seen the exquisite cop chase scene in the 1974 James Caan movie, Freebie & The Bean. Who can forget Caan riding a Cota 247 over the top of a string of parked cars or waltzing on one wheel through a city park in San Francisco? It was clear that Caan (or a stunt double) nearly lost it that time he came down a little sideways on the front wheel! Remember that?

See Also: Model List by Year
Production Volume by Model
The Montesa Wikipedia Page
The EMU Montesa Gallery