1969 Moto Guzzi V750 Ambassador
Generously Lent by Audrain Donor & Member Mara & Richard Hunter
90-degree transverse v-twin motor design, less vibration than parallel twins
Cylinder heads receive optimal cooling, without the width of a flat twin
Smooth, fast and quiet – a luxury touring machine
Originally designed with police work in mind
The machine on display is a rare ‘A-series’ early production model built in late 1968. It is in almost completely original condition. It has never been repainted nor has it needed any mechanical attention.
Italian manufacturer Moto Guzzi built their reputation on small-capacity single cylinder motorcycles for ‘ride-to-work’ customers. Italy’s increasing prosperity in the early 1960s led many of those customers to buy small cars like the FIAT 500. Facing declining motorcycle sales, Moto Guzzi’s chief engineer, Guilio Cesare Carcano, decided to design an air-cooled v-twin engine and offer it to FIAT for a sports version of the 500.
Although several different capacity engines were designed and successfully tested, FIAT ultimately chose to work with established FIAT tuner, Abarth and their 595 motor, leaving Moto Guzzi without a use for their new v-twin engine.
Fortunately, in 1963 the Italian government announced a tender for a new large-capacity police motorcycle, capable of covering 100,000km (62,000 miles) without major repairs. Moto Guzzi realized their new v-twin engine was ideal for this application, won the tender and revealed their first twin-cylinder motorcycle, the V700, in 1965. After evaluation by the Los Angeles Police Department - and supported by the US importer, Premier Motors - the V700’s capacity was increased from 703cc to 757cc and the V750 Ambassador (sold as the V7 Special in Europe) was launched in 1968.
The V750 Ambassador’s 90-degree v-twin motor was mounted transversely across the frame, maximizing air cooling to the protruding cylinder heads, which also featured hemi-spherical combustion chambers and a 9:1 compression ratio. Pushrods operated overhead valves and a new type of square-slide Dell’Orto carburetor was fitted to each cylinder. With 60bhp available, the Ambassador was ideal for covering long distances. Various speed record attempts helped to boost the new Moto Guzzi’s image in June 1969 Remo Venturi achieved 145mph on a specially prepared V750 at the Monza circuit.
The US motorcycling press reported favorably on the new V750, with ‘Cycle World’ magazine writing “The new Moto Guzzi is a good deal faster than last year's offering, but retains the plushiness necessary for a heavyweight, high speed tourer”. By 1971 annual sales reached 46,000 units, including many to the LAPD and the California Highway Patrol, who appreciated its performance, reliability, low-maintenance and especially the electric starter.
Specifications:
Engine: 757cc, 60 bhp @ 6,500 rpm, air-cooled OHV v-twin with 2 valves per cylinder
Transmission: 4-speed gearbox with shaft drive
Performance: 115mph
Fuel consumption: 37 mpg
Weight: 502 lbs
Price when new: $1,554