Alpha
Alpha was a Spanish motorcycle and motocarro marque manufactured in Barcelona from 1924 to 1957, later revived as a Spanish-funded motorcycle and electric-bicycle venture.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Alpha was a Spanish motorcycle brand founded in Barcelona in 1924 by Nilo Masó Miró, a former racing driver. The company produced motorcycles and later utility three-wheelers, becoming one of the more prominent Spanish motorcycle manufacturers before the Spanish Civil War. Its early machines used 175 cc and 250 cc two-stroke engines supplied by Villiers and DKW, and the marque developed a reputation for attractive styling. The political and economic conditions of post-war Spain strongly shaped Alpha's subsequent direction. Restrictions on importing foreign components made it difficult for domestic motorcycle manufacturers to continue normal production. Alpha therefore undertook the reconstruction of former military machines and built auxiliary motors for bicycles. These activities helped the workshop remain active while access to imported engines, components, and raw materials was constrained. In 1948, Alpha became involved in an attempt to manufacture MV Agusta motorcycles in Spain. Mario and Natale Corando sought a local manufacturing partner because the Franco regime restricted foreign motorcycle imports and limited the ability of foreign nationals to establish businesses in Spain. Alpha possessed manufacturing licenses and permits that could facilitate access to materials, while Enrique Favier and Antonio Sommariva joined the venture as financial participants. The resulting company, MV Alpha, produced 125 cc two-stroke motorcycles in standard, luxury, and sports versions. The motorcycles produced approximately 3.2 horsepower in the regular versions and 4.5 horsepower in sports form, with stated top speeds of roughly 60 and 70 km/h respectively. A smaller 98 cc model followed. MV Alpha motorcycles reportedly sold well, but Alpha's limited production capacity prevented the venture from expanding sufficiently. In 1951, the license was transferred to the larger and better-equipped Avello factory in Gijón, Asturias, leading to the MV Avello marque. Losing the MV production agreement contributed to the decline of Alpha's original Barcelona workshops. Alpha continued with other products during the 1950s. In 1953, it collaborated on the Evycsa motorcycle, which used Fita-AMC four-stroke engines. The company also built distribution tricycles powered by engines from Ossa and Hispano Villiers, as well as a 175 cc lightweight motorcycle influenced by the BSA Bantam. The original factory closed in 1957. The Alpha name was revived in 2014 by a venture backed by entirely Spanish capital. The revived business announced plans for motorcycles and electric bicycles, including a cafe racer derived from the Ducati 800SS and styled after Bonneville Salt Flats racing machines, as well as an electric bicycle concept resembling the Bultaco Brinco. The revived company was based in the Province of Pontevedra. In 2017, it introduced lightweight carbon-fibre bicycle brake discs weighing approximately 32 to 70 grams depending on size. The available reference material does not establish the later operating status, ownership, production scale, or commercial success of this revived enterprise.
History
Alpha was established in Barcelona in 1924 by Nilo Masó Miró, a former speed driver who entered motorcycle manufacturing during the formative period of Spain's domestic motorcycle industry. Its early motorcycles used 175 cc and 250 cc two-stroke engines from Villiers and DKW. Before the Spanish Civil War, Alpha became one of the country's leading motorcycle makers and was associated with visually appealing designs as well as practical mechanical engineering. Following the Civil War, Spain imposed severe restrictions on imported motorcycles and foreign components. Like other local manufacturers, Alpha adapted by reconstructing ex-military machines and producing auxiliary engines for bicycles. This period reduced the company's access to normal international supply chains but created demand for repair, conversion, and low-cost domestic transport solutions. Alpha's most important post-war initiative was its participation in MV Alpha. The Corando brothers, Mario and Natale, wanted to establish licensed MV Agusta production in Spain, but the political environment prevented foreign nationals from freely establishing such an operation. Alpha had the necessary local licenses and manufacturing permissions, making it a suitable partner. Enrique Favier and Antonio Sommariva joined the venture to provide financing, and MV Alpha was formed in 1948. MV Alpha launched 125 cc two-stroke motorcycles in standard, luxury, and sports configurations. The regular models were rated at 3.2 horsepower and the sports versions at 4.5 horsepower, with stated maximum speeds of about 60 and 70 km/h. A 98 cc model was subsequently added. Although sales were considered good, Alpha's facilities were not large or capable enough to support a substantial increase in output. In 1951, the MV license moved to Avello, a better-equipped factory in the Natahoyo district of Gijón, creating MV Avello and removing a major source of activity from Alpha. The loss of the license marked the beginning of the original workshop's decline. Alpha nevertheless continued to work on other forms of transport. In 1953 it collaborated on the Evycsa motorcycle, equipped with a Fita-AMC four-stroke engine. It also produced distribution tricycles using Ossa and Hispano Villiers engines, and built a 175 cc light motorcycle drawing inspiration from the BSA Bantam. The original factory eventually closed in 1957. The Alpha name was revived in 2014 by a Spanish-capital enterprise based in the Province of Pontevedra. The new venture planned motorcycles and electric bicycles, including a cafe racer based on the Ducati 800SS and styled with visual references to Bonneville Salt Flats racing, together with an electric bicycle similar in concept to the Bultaco Brinco. In 2017, it presented lightweight carbon-fibre bicycle brake discs reportedly weighing between 32 and 70 grams according to size. The available source does not confirm whether the revived company continued operating after these announcements, nor does it provide reliable information about its current ownership, production, or distribution.
- 2017
Carbon-fibre bicycle discs introduced
[1]The revived enterprise introduces lightweight carbon-fibre bicycle brake discs.
- 2014
Alpha name is revived
[1]A Spanish-funded venture announces plans for new motorcycles and electric bicycles under the Alpha name.
- 1957
Original factory closes
[1]The original Alpha workshops cease operations.
- 1953
Evycsa and utility vehicles
[1]Alpha collaborates on the Evycsa motorcycle and continues producing distribution tricycles and a lightweight 175 cc motorcycle.
- 1951
MV license transfers to Avello
[1]The MV production license moves to Avello in Gijón after Alpha is unable to expand capacity.
- 1948
MV Alpha is formed
[1]Alpha partners with the Corando brothers and financial backers to manufacture MV-derived motorcycles under license in Spain.
- 1924
Alpha is founded in Barcelona
[1]Nilo Masó Miró establishes the Alpha motorcycle manufacturing company in Barcelona.
Products and positioning
Historically, Alpha occupied the domestic Spanish motorcycle-manufacturing market, combining imported-license engines and locally produced motorcycles with utility vehicles and components. Its pre-war identity emphasized mechanically capable, attractively styled motorcycles; its post-war activities also reflected Spain's import restrictions and demand for practical transport. The revived name was positioned around Spanish-funded motorcycles, electric bicycles, and lightweight bicycle technology.
Motorcycles · 1924
Early Alpha motorcycles
Alpha's early Barcelona-built motorcycles used 175 cc and 250 cc two-stroke engines supplied by Villiers and DKW. They formed the core of the marque's pre-war business and helped establish Alpha as a notable Spanish manufacturer. The available source emphasizes their styling and engine suppliers but does not provide a complete model catalogue.
Licensed motorcycles · 1948
MV Alpha 125
The MV Alpha 125 was a 125 cc two-stroke motorcycle produced after the 1948 licensing venture with MV Agusta interests. It was offered in standard, luxury, and sports forms. Reported output was 3.2 horsepower for the regular versions and 4.5 horsepower for the sports models, with approximate stated top speeds of 60 and 70 km/h.
Light motorcycles
MV Alpha 98
The MV Alpha 98 was a smaller-displacement motorcycle added to the MV Alpha range after the initial 125 cc models. The source identifies its displacement and relationship to the licensed range but does not provide further specifications or a precise production duration.
Motorcycles · 1953
Evycsa motorcycle
Alpha collaborated in the construction of the Evycsa motorcycle during the 1950s. The machine used a Fita-AMC four-stroke engine and represented one of the company's efforts to maintain motorcycle production after the MV license had moved to Avello.
Utility three-wheelers
Alpha distribution tricycles
Alpha produced distribution tricycles for commercial and delivery use. The cited source records versions powered by Ossa and Hispano Villiers engines, but does not specify payloads, body configurations, or production volumes.
Light motorcycles
Alpha 175 cc light motorcycle
This 175 cc lightweight motorcycle was produced during Alpha's final years and was inspired by the BSA Bantam. It formed part of the marque's post-war effort to offer relatively simple, economical two-wheeled transport.
Motorcycle concept · 2014
Revived Alpha cafe racer concept
The post-2014 Alpha venture announced a cafe racer derived from the Ducati 800SS and visually influenced by Bonneville Salt Flats racing machines. The available reference describes it as a plan rather than confirming sustained series production.
Electric bicycles · 2014
Revived Alpha electric bicycle
The revived Alpha operation also planned an electric bicycle broadly comparable to the Bultaco Brinco. The available material does not establish its final specifications, production status, or commercial availability.
Bicycle components · 2017
Alpha carbon-fibre bicycle brake discs
In 2017, the revived company introduced lightweight carbon-fibre disc-brake components for bicycles. Reported weights ranged from approximately 32 to 70 grams depending on disc size. The source does not provide independent testing or detailed technical specifications.
Brand decisions
2014
Revive Alpha as a motorcycle and electric-bicycle ventureStrategyBackground
A new enterprise using entirely Spanish capital sought to restore the Alpha name in a contemporary mobility context.
Action taken
The venture announced planned motorcycles, a cafe racer, and an electric bicycle, and operated from the Province of Pontevedra.
Aftermath
The source records a later 2017 bicycle-component introduction but does not confirm the venture's subsequent operating status or commercial scale.
1951
Transfer the MV production license to AvelloStrategyBackground
MV Alpha achieved sales but Alpha's facilities could not support a substantial production increase.
Action taken
The licensed MV motorcycle manufacturing agreement was moved to Avello's larger and better-equipped factory in Gijón.
Aftermath
The loss of the license weakened Alpha's original workshops and contributed to their eventual closure in 1957.
1948
Partner with MV interests to establish MV AlphaM&ABackground
Import restrictions and limits on foreign business activity in post-war Spain made a local manufacturing partner necessary for the proposed production of MV motorcycles.
Action taken
Alpha joined Mario and Natale Corando and financial participants Enrique Favier and Antonio Sommariva to create MV Alpha and manufacture licensed motorcycles.
Aftermath
The venture produced 125 cc and 98 cc motorcycles, but limited Alpha capacity led to the transfer of the license to Avello in 1951.
Recent events
- 2017
Alpha introduces lightweight carbon-fibre bicycle brake discs[1]
Product launch
The revived company introduced carbon-fibre bicycle brake discs with reported weights ranging from approximately 32 to 70 grams depending on size.
- 2014
Alpha name revived for motorcycles and electric bicycles[1]
Product launch · Other
A Spanish-funded venture revived the Alpha name and announced plans for motorcycles and electric bicycles, including a cafe racer and an electric-bike concept.
- 1957
Original Alpha workshops close[1]
Bankruptcy
After losing the MV license and continuing with smaller motorcycle and utility-vehicle projects, the original Alpha factory ceased operations.
- 1951
MV motorcycle license moves from Alpha to Avello[1]
Other
The MV manufacturing license was transferred to Avello in Gijón because Alpha's facilities could not expand production sufficiently.
- 1948
MV Alpha begins licensed motorcycle production[1]
Product launch · Other
Alpha joined a venture to manufacture MV Agusta-derived motorcycles in Spain, producing 125 cc models and later a 98 cc version.
- 1924
Alpha begins motorcycle manufacturing in Barcelona[1]
Other
Nilo Masó Miró established the Alpha motorcycle manufacturing operation in Barcelona, initially producing motorcycles with 175 cc and 250 cc two-stroke engines.
Sources4 sources
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