Created during World War II by Aldo Farinelli and Aldo Leoni, the four-stroke Cucciolo engine was initially produced by Siata (Società Italiana per Applicazioni Tecniche Auto-Aviatorie) and tested in Turin in 1944. Due to its characteristic sound, it went down in history with this name (Cucciolo meaning “puppy” in Italian).
After the war, Siata began selling this engine to the public, and its popularity grew to such an extent that Ducati took over production in 1946, increasing from an initial 15 units to more than 25,000 by 1958.
In Portugal, dozens of small factories and workshops used this engine, with particular emphasis on Vilar, which created a model known for its reliability.
This motorcycle was donated to the Museu do Caramulo by Isabel Mateus Braga.