Tag Archives: Carlo Guzzi 250C

Carlo Guzzi Supercharged 250C speed record machine

Carlo Guzzi Supercharged 250C

With Phil Aynsley


Carlo Guzzi designed this supercharged 250cc machine in 1937, originally for record-breaking (although it did see some racing use) and it had a long competition career – running all the way from 1938 through to 1952.

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC
Carlo Guzzi Supercharged 250C

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC

The Cozette supercharger (manufactured by Guzzi) was gear driven and mounted above the gearbox. Depending on whether a petrol or methanol fuel mixture was used, output was around 38 hp or 45 hp at 7900rpm.

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC
Carlo Guzzi Supercharged 250C
Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC
Seen here with the smaller chamber

A large, cylindrical ‘expansion’ container was used between the carburettor and supercharger in early versions of the bike. This was replaced by a smaller chamber between the supercharger and inlet on later bikes. This model is fitted with the smaller chamber.

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC
Carlo Guzzi Supercharged 250C

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC

Record attempts began in April 1938 with Nello Pagani raising the 50km average speed record to 180.810km/h. Then in November Tenni Ombono set new 50km, 5 mile, 10km, 100km and 1 hour records.

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC
The Carlo Guzzi Supercharged 250C set the 50km average speed record at 180.81km/h in 1938

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC

More speed records were set the following year. The final achievement by the 250 was in 1952, when with a third wheel fitted and 60kg of ballast, it set a sidecar speed record of 221km/h.

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC
The Carlo Guzzi Supercharged 250C even ran as a sidecar to set a record!

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC

In racing the 250 finished third outright in the 1938 Milano-Taranto and won the Italian Championship (both with Pagani riding). In the 1939 German GP the 250 beat the DKWs to first and second places.

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC
Racing success was also seen in 1938, with Pagani winning the Italian Championship

Carlo Guzzi C Supercharged PA GuzziC

Source: MCNews.com.au