The Bassella Motorcycle Museum inaugurates a new exhibition dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the Montesa Cota
It is the only motorcycle that is still in production in Spain after 50 years
The exhibition includes a total of 40 models, some of them exclusive that have never before been shown to the public.
Since its foundation in 1945, Montesa has not ceased its production of motorcycles. Today, Montesa Honda manufactures 5 trial models exclusively for the whole world.
The celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Montesa Cota continue. Now the Bassella Motorcycle Museum, in collaboration with Montesa, has just inaugurated an exclusive exhibition dedicated to the half century of life of this model.
In the exhibition, which can be visited throughout 2019, you can see from the first version of the Cota from 1968, to the special edition of the Cota 50th Anniversary, of which 50 units have been manufactured for the whole world. In total, the exhibition includes more than 40 units, some of them unpublished until now. Thus, for the first time it has been possible to bring together all the Cota models in a single exhibition.
There is also a section dedicated to the world champions (Ulf Karson, Marc Colomer, Dougie Lampkin, Laia Sanz, Fujinami, Toni Bou) and some very special models, such as the Cota 311 with which Gabino Renales starred in a stellar moment at the opening of the 1992 Paralympic Games, a prototype designed by the great Antonio Cobas or a curious 247 adapted for the off-road specialty. among others.
The Bassella Motorcycle Museum is recognised as one of the best in Europe and has become a benchmark. At the time of its inauguration in 2002 it was the first museum in Spain dedicated entirely to the history of the motorcycle. It has more than 1,000 m2 divided into two open-plan rooms. The Museum is located in a spectacular mountain setting in the Catalan pre-Pyrenees, at the foot of the C-14 regional road, between the towns of Ponts and Oliana.
50 years of Montesa Cota
Honda celebrates 50 years of production of the Montesa Cota. It is the only motorcycle model marketed uninterruptedly since 1968 in Spain. Its formula for success has been based on R+D efforts and high technological quality, adapting to the needs of the market at all times. In this way, the Montesa Cota is the longest-lived motorcycle manufactured in Spain and the only motorcycle, not a scooter, of continuous production in Europe for five decades. Since its release, 160,000 units have been sold.
Montesa’s production takes place at Honda’s factory in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda and is exported all over the world. There are currently 5 models coming off the assembly line: Montesa Cota 4RT, Race Replica, 300RR, 4Ride & Honda RTL300R. In addition to motorcycle production, the plant also manufactures components for the Honda Group’s three business lines (vehicles, motorcycles and power products).
Inspiration from Anglo-Saxon tradition
In the 1960s, trial was a very popular speciality in Great Britain, where the racing season began in early autumn, after the end of the speed and motocross championships. Trial allowed elite riders to stay in shape during the winter, in a fun and competitive way.
Montesa was no stranger to this trend and at the end of the decade, and based on the successful Impala engine, began its foray into trial developing several prototypes that would culminate in the production of the revolutionary Cota 247. The 247 quickly became a sales phenomenon thanks to its level of performance and an innovative and attractive clean line design, highlighting the integration of the fuel tank with the saddle in a single piece, an argument with which it won the silver Delta for the industrial design of the Adi-Fad.
Commercial and sporting successes made the Cota 247 a legendary model that was able to remain in production for 12 years without significant changes. The Cota 247 paved the way for the design of other emblematic models of the brand, such as the Cota 25 & Cota 49, designed for children. Along with these models, other models stood out, such as the Cota 348 itself and the Cota 123 and 172.
After almost a decade and a half of commercial success and a great proliferation of Cota models, the early ’80s were a time of economic difficulties for the motorcycle sector, including Montesa. The solution came in 1983 when Montesa reached an agreement with Honda to produce models of this brand at the factory in Esplugues del Llobregat. Subsequently, in 1986, the company Montesa Honda was created, creating a powerful alliance that would allow it to continue manufacturing and developing models of high quality and reliability. In this way, Montesa’s enormous experience in the world of trials was taken advantage of, applying the most innovative technologies provided by Honda’s R+D.
In this way, Montesa resumes the path of success with the Cota 304 and 307, the Cota 310 and the Cota 311, the latter already equipped with a modern and light aluminum frame and the first water-cooled 2-stroke engine used by the brand.
The incorporation of Japanese technology
The collaboration between Montesa and Honda is reflected in the launch of the Cota 314R, the first model in the series to be equipped with a Japanese engine, designed by Honda in collaboration with HRC. A model that would be followed by another highly successful product, the Cota 315R, with which Marc Colomer, Dougie Lampkin, Takahisa Fujinami and Laia Sanz would be proclaimed world champions of the specialty. After years of success, in 2004, Montesa presented a revolutionary model, the Cota 4RT, a clear example of technological innovation as it was the first trial model equipped with an aluminum chassis together with an advanced 4-stroke, 4-valve engine and electronic fuel injection with which Montesa demonstrated a hitherto unknown level of competitiveness along with a clear reduction in polluting emissions compared to the previous models. 2-stroke engines.
Thus, from the appearance of the Cota 4RT model to the present day, the entire production of Montesa models has been based on state-of-the-art 4-stroke cycle engines that are respectful of the environment.
The Cota 300RR is the latest model in the saga with a 4-stroke mechanical base and electronic injection. With this bike, Montesa has occupied the first three positions of the 2018 TR2 Trial World Championship, another example of the high level of competitiveness of this bike.
In these 50 years in production, from the first Cota 247 to the Cota 300RR, no less than 43 variants of the Cota model have been launched, a figure that demonstrates the high development and production capacity of the Montesa factory, as certified by the more than 1,276,000
(441,000 Montesa and 835,000 Honda) units produced between 1945 and 2017.
Montesa and Cota, the great dominators of the Trial World Championship
In May 1968 Honda debuted the Cota 247 at the Six Days of Scotland, the most prestigious international competition, with Don Smith finishing third. That same year, Pere Pi, a key player in the development of the model, won the first Spanish Trial Championship. A triumphant start that was consolidated a year later with the team victory in the Six Days of Scotland. In 1980, Ulf Karlson and his Cota 348 won the first world title for manufacturers and drivers.
He would be followed by Marc Colomer, Dougie Lampin, Takahisa Fujinami, Laia Sanz, Alfredo Gómez and Toni Bou, all of them World Champions with Montesa. However, Toni Bou, the most successful rider of all time, is the great dominator of the specialty with 24 world titles won uninterruptedly from 2007 to 2018. This is the best example of the quality of the products that emerged from the alliance between Montesa and Honda, applied to the most demanding market: high competition.
Since 1980, Montesa has won 66 world titles (21 manufacturers’ and 45 riders’ titles) and since 2000 Montesa is the brand that dominates the Trial World Championship with an iron fist, obtaining 18 manufacturers’ titles out of a possible 19.
MONTESA COTA VIDEO PRODUCTION
