Written by Tim Huber.
By far one of the most significant decades in American automotive history, the 1950s gave rise to some of the most iconic vehicle designs ever created. With stylistic elements reflecting the public?s fascination for the emerging Space Age, streamlined forms, pronounced fins, and other rocket-inspired visual themes on cars became symbols of quintessential midcentury Americana. 1959 Cadillacs like the Eldorado and De Ville are archetypal examples of designs from this era, sporting curved glasswork, chromed accents, fins even more dramatic than their predecessor?s, and distinctive ?jet pod? tail lights.
And it?s those tail lights that became the entire basis for this one-off Moto Guzzi, dubbed ?La Monica?, from France?s Dirty Seven Garage. Starting with a 1981 Le Mans III, the Toulouse-based shop fully rebuilt the 844cc longitudinally-mounted V-Twin with a 1,000cc kit. The electronics were then overhauled via an Electrosport regulator/rectifier, Dynatek Dyna 3 electronic ignition, and new custom wiring throughout.
Next, the ?square-head? twin received matte black paint with polished fins and custom aluminum valve cover guards, velocity stacks, and generator cover. The 36mm Dello?Orto carbs also got a coat of black in an effort to keep the mechanical bits more uniform. The tank and tail?s sides were brushed and a black stripe was laid down across the top before both were sealed in a polyurethane varnish. Contrasting the black paint and bare metal is t...