VIVA Montesa

The exhibition “VIVA Montesa” takes us on a journey through the history of one of the most iconic marks of the Spanish motorcycling industry, and an international byword in the world of motorsport.

To mark the 80th anniversary of Montesa, the exhibition brings together 80 iconic motorcycles from its history, by way of tribute to a company which left an indelible imprint on industrial design, engineering and motorcycling, as well as honouring the role of Pere Permanyer Puigjaner, businessman, industrialist, inventor and visionary, who dedicated his life to driving innovation and helping to modernise the society of his day.

Through a painstaking selection of motorcycles, engines, documentation and graphical materials, the exhibition recounts the evolution of a company which triumphed by making technical innovation, design and competition its three hallmarks.

This journey takes in some of the marque's most distinctive models, including the A-45, the Brío, the Impala, the Cappra and the Cota, from the Permanyer Collection. Each of these motorcycles illustrates a key stage in the evolution of Montesa and its influence on mobility, sport and industry.

Alongside this historical journey, the exhibition also includes a temporary section dedicated to competitive motocross bikes, with a selection of original models being shown together here for the first time. This marks an outstanding opportunity to discover and relive the great sporting successes of Montesa in this discipline, from the early Sixties to the mid-Eighties. 

The exhibition focuses on Montesa's capacity to overcome the difficulties faced in each era, through constant innovation and absolute dedication to its industry. From the early days down to its international consolidation, the company's story shows how research, technical development and competition played a decisive role in the marque's evolution.

The exhibits are divided into three main stages:

1. The founding years, from 1945 up to the launch of the Impala, a model that was to mark a turning point in the history of Spanish motorcycles.
2. The period of greatest industrial and sporting expansion, with the creation of models intended for trials, motocross, enduro and road racing, along with Montesa's growing international reputation.
3. The collaboration with Honda and the marque's specialisation in trial bikes, a discipline where it remains a leading name worldwide, thanks to an outstanding sporting record and riders who have taken it to the summit of the World Championship.

More than a motorcycle exhibition, "VIVA Montesa" is an invitation to discover eight decades of innovation, hard work, design and passion for two wheels.