The National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia (mNACTEC) recently acquired two legendary motorcycles manufactured in Catalonia. These are a Bultaco Metralla MK2 (1974) and a Patria tricycle from the 1930s, before the Civil War.
Both motorcycles are already on display in the mNACTEC Transport space, in the group of motorcycles manufactured in Catalonia, accompanying the extensive exhibition of the Montesa motorcycle collection.
Bultaco was the brand of the Compañía Española de Motores S.A. (CEMOTO S.A.) and along with Montesa, it is one of the most important Spanish motorcycle brands of all time. It was founded in 1958 by Francesc X. Bultó, who at that point was in charge of designs for Montesa. In 1966, production began on the Metralla MK2 motorcycle, which went on to become the most important road model for the brand from Sant Adrià del Besòs. Its 250cc engine and extraordinary 27HP meant that the MK2 overtook its great rival the Montesa Impala Sport 250, becoming the fastest 250cc series-production motorcycle. It was an immediate sales success and was enthusiastically welcomed by the international press. This model earned Bultaco a spot as one of the best motorcycles of the time in the international market.
In 1922, the PATRIA National Factory of Motorcycles, Sidecars and Bicycles was founded by Antonio Serra, with a factory in the city of Badalona. Patria produced motorcycles, tricycles, sidecars and even some units of a car model before production ceased in 1936 because of the Civil War. The sudden death of Antonio Serra in 1939, after returning from his exile from the war, put an end to the industrial adventure of this brand from Badalona. Patria may well be the most important Spanish motorcycle from before the Civil War. The tricycle acquired by the mNACTEC is the Minor model, with a Villiers import 350cc engine, a two-stroke single-cylinder. The tricycle has been restored to working condition and has the accompanying original documents allowing its entire history to the present to be traced. By acquiring this tricycle, the mNACTEC continues to support its exhibition on Catalan motorcycles, which began with the first motorcycle manufactured in Spain by Miquel Villalbí in 1904, and which now continues with this model from Patria.
15 April 2019
