People around the World love Bultaco . To hear that the Bulto family is restarting the company is amazing news . Yes, this isnt a trials bike , but its Bultaco ......and Bultaco is trials!!. They are joined at the hip and cannot be separated. Just imagine trying to talk about the new Bultaco Bike, the Bulto family and going to this big party without talking about trials. Its almost impossible. Besides that , we all want to catch a glimpse of what the new bike is like and catch up with the Bulto's.
It was way back in March that I was first contacted by Daniel Bulto on my mobile, completely out of the blue and was told about the re birth of Bultaco.
Daniel explained to me that Bultaco was planning to relaunch a new electric motorcycle and that this motorcycle would embody the spirit of Bultaco and would be a market leader in this field. He explained to me that the launch was going to be in a London hotel on May the 17th this year, which is the birth day of Francesc Xavier Bulto, Daniel's grand father and the founder of the original Bultaco. Daniel's mother is Ines Bulto who is the eldest daughter of Francisco (Paco). The reason Daniel had contacted me was that he been speaking with Estanis Soler who was the Bultaco factory competition manager for 20 years and the Bassella museum owner. Daniel had been explaining to Estanis that he needed to source some old Bultaco's for the launch in the UK. Estanis remembered this crazy Brit (yours truly) and suggested Daniel contact me. It was as simple as that. I just started the ball of organising these bikes rolling. |
This 1987 merlin photo poster was taken at the bulto family home masa san antonio
Here is a great poster sent to me by Mark Oldar from the USA. He used to be the US Cagiva (Merlin) importer. Thanks Mark.
If you wish to see a guided tour of the Bulto family home, please wait until the end of this report, where I will display a link.
Daniel was a great guy to deal with. This is so typical of all the Spanish people I have dealt with. Because of my small assistance towards the launch and my love of the Bultaco brand I was invited along to the launch. This was to be the first launch that I had ever been to, so it was very exciting for me. Bultaco chose to launch the new company and bike in London because they are launching the brand internationally and not just to a Spanish audience. Launching the bike in the UK would convey this to the World wide bike audience.
Then the day of the launch arrived and so my wife and I head off to London city, a place we don't often go despite it being only an hour a way. We're country folk, you see :).
Then the day of the launch arrived and so my wife and I head off to London city, a place we don't often go despite it being only an hour a way. We're country folk, you see :).
This was the first official image that was sent to me by Bultaco
The first glimpse of the Launch hotel, behind the library.
What a building. The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is adjoined to the rail station to the right.
I have driven past this wonderful hotel so many times and never dream't I might be going inside. Its absolutely amazing. The gothic style architecture is stunning and reminds me of some of the buildings that feature in the Batman movies.
Its simply incredible.
I have driven past this wonderful hotel so many times and never dream't I might be going inside. Its absolutely amazing. The gothic style architecture is stunning and reminds me of some of the buildings that feature in the Batman movies.
Its simply incredible.
In we walked. In fact we parked right outside the front door. It was just so easy and beat the £85 rail charge by about £60 !
The Spanish media were here reporting.
I just couldn't walk down this corridor without taking a snap. It is simply gorgeous. The entire hotel is amazing.
The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was prepared and ready for the new Bultaco
The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was prepared and ready for the new Bultaco
After my wife and I had, had a coffee with some very legendary people, who I am simply not worthy to mention, we left the huge central lobby and went to the Bultaco launch room.
In the middle of the room was this stage with a central huge screen repeating a selection of great Bultaco image photos. To either side of the screens were what I could only imagine were the new Bultaco's hidden under sheets.
This photo was taken just after we entered. Later ....as you will see, it was packed out :).
I think everyone was still enjoying siesta as this moment :)
In the middle of the room was this stage with a central huge screen repeating a selection of great Bultaco image photos. To either side of the screens were what I could only imagine were the new Bultaco's hidden under sheets.
This photo was taken just after we entered. Later ....as you will see, it was packed out :).
I think everyone was still enjoying siesta as this moment :)
The thought did cross my mind to have a peek, but I pulled myself back into line :).
At the opposite end of the room from the entrance were the three Bultaco's that Dave Renham from In Motion Bultaco UK had kindly sourced. Dave had driven many miles to pick up the Pursang. He really helped the family out.
This is Martin Lampkins Championship winning Bultaco kndly leant to Bultaco by Mrs Comerford.