the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
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In 1945 Permanyer industries took over this building on the corner of C/ PAMPLONA, 89 , BARCELONA. It is recorded as this in the documents of the building.
" The history of Montesa goes back to 1944, when a young Barcelona industrialist, Pere Permanyer Puigjaner, 33 began to produce gas generators for automobiles, thus opening a new branch of activities in the motorcycle industry. The gas generator industry was characteristic of Spanish life during the post-Civil War period. During the Second World War, 1939-1945 and during the time of Spanish reconstruction after its devastating civil war from 1936-39, the shortage of fuel had paralysed Spanish transport in such a way that the application of the gas generator system (an artful procedure for obtaining fuel by burning almond shells) was at that time a virtually magical resource for running cars, trucks and electrical generators.
In 1944, with the end of the Second World War in sight, they realised that the supply or fuels would soon return to normal, and, therefore, that he would have to reorientate his industry towards a different activity other than gas generators, which was, in fact, an emergency resource, the result of prevailing circumstances. His first idea was to study to the two-stroke engine for motorcycles, since at that time there was an extraordinary demand for this type of light vehicle, coexisting with both a total lack of domestic production of the same and imports, due to the two wars that had raged in Europe, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the Second World War (1939-1945).
In 1945 Francisco Xavier "Paco" Bulto was introduced to Pere and the production of motorcycle began."
I dont proclaim to be much of an expert on Montesa , but hearing that this old factory was still standing i couldnt pass on the chance to visit it and sneak and peek inside. If anyone out there does know more , then please let me know and ill share it for the enjoyment of all.
Thanks to Josep's contact we we able to locate this old factory.
The building has been used by a company called Rapido to manufacture sowing machines for the past 30 years.
Prior to that it was used by an electrics company manufacturing televisions. Prior to that Montesa built Montorcycles here. A keen local history enthusiast has provided us with this information on the building.
No doubt the building has changed in some ways , it is clear that size and shape of the building remains pretty much the same.As we all know companies dont like spending much on factories , so it is likely this building is pretty much the some as its was back in the Montesa days .Some of the windows have been blocked up. Looking around the inside there are no false ceilings leaving the metal structure open and visible. The walls are crumbling and old. The paint is very old and peeling.
The outside of the building has been painted but when you look closely you can see the old black paint coming through displaying the original Montesa "M" on the wall followed by " otocycletas".
Its nice to see and reassurance that your in the right place. The old lean toos and covered areas downstairs outside in the front courtyard are dirty and run down. You can just imagine the rows of bike lined up waiting to leave via the large door way in the wall onto the street. Rusty steel walkways and steps systems along with dis connected old ventilation chimneys and pipes give the whole building a real industrial feel.
Have a look at the photos , they are all in chronological order as it you are walking around the ground floor , into the courtyard , behind the wall and up onto the roof on the left.
Montesa enthusiasts - Enjoy
In 1945 Permanyer industries took over this building on the corner of C/ PAMPLONA, 89 , BARCELONA. It is recorded as this in the documents of the building.
" The history of Montesa goes back to 1944, when a young Barcelona industrialist, Pere Permanyer Puigjaner, 33 began to produce gas generators for automobiles, thus opening a new branch of activities in the motorcycle industry. The gas generator industry was characteristic of Spanish life during the post-Civil War period. During the Second World War, 1939-1945 and during the time of Spanish reconstruction after its devastating civil war from 1936-39, the shortage of fuel had paralysed Spanish transport in such a way that the application of the gas generator system (an artful procedure for obtaining fuel by burning almond shells) was at that time a virtually magical resource for running cars, trucks and electrical generators.
In 1944, with the end of the Second World War in sight, they realised that the supply or fuels would soon return to normal, and, therefore, that he would have to reorientate his industry towards a different activity other than gas generators, which was, in fact, an emergency resource, the result of prevailing circumstances. His first idea was to study to the two-stroke engine for motorcycles, since at that time there was an extraordinary demand for this type of light vehicle, coexisting with both a total lack of domestic production of the same and imports, due to the two wars that had raged in Europe, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the Second World War (1939-1945).
In 1945 Francisco Xavier "Paco" Bulto was introduced to Pere and the production of motorcycle began."
I dont proclaim to be much of an expert on Montesa , but hearing that this old factory was still standing i couldnt pass on the chance to visit it and sneak and peek inside. If anyone out there does know more , then please let me know and ill share it for the enjoyment of all.
Thanks to Josep's contact we we able to locate this old factory.
The building has been used by a company called Rapido to manufacture sowing machines for the past 30 years.
Prior to that it was used by an electrics company manufacturing televisions. Prior to that Montesa built Montorcycles here. A keen local history enthusiast has provided us with this information on the building.
No doubt the building has changed in some ways , it is clear that size and shape of the building remains pretty much the same.As we all know companies dont like spending much on factories , so it is likely this building is pretty much the some as its was back in the Montesa days .Some of the windows have been blocked up. Looking around the inside there are no false ceilings leaving the metal structure open and visible. The walls are crumbling and old. The paint is very old and peeling.
The outside of the building has been painted but when you look closely you can see the old black paint coming through displaying the original Montesa "M" on the wall followed by " otocycletas".
Its nice to see and reassurance that your in the right place. The old lean toos and covered areas downstairs outside in the front courtyard are dirty and run down. You can just imagine the rows of bike lined up waiting to leave via the large door way in the wall onto the street. Rusty steel walkways and steps systems along with dis connected old ventilation chimneys and pipes give the whole building a real industrial feel.
Have a look at the photos , they are all in chronological order as it you are walking around the ground floor , into the courtyard , behind the wall and up onto the roof on the left.
Montesa enthusiasts - Enjoy
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
the old Montesa motorcycles factory 1945 - 1959
