Moto Parilla was founded in Milan in 1946 by Giovanni Parrilla. He was born in Spain and emigrated to Southern Italy during the Second World War. He started to manufacture motorcycles in his small workshop specializing in the repair of diesel injectors and pumps. He went on to produce an array of small displacement scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. He changed the spelling of his name to one "r" for his motorcycle marque. Rather than build inexpensive two-strokes to power the populace in the days following World War II, Parrilla created a full-bore, thoroughbred 250cc overhead-cam racer that was soon rivaling Moto Guzzi for the checkered flag. By 1954, Parilla's racer was the High Cam 175cc MSDS, also known as the Grand Sport.

The Parilla High-Cam Engine
The High Cam engine featured overhead valves operated by short pushrods and a cam placed at combustion chamber height on the engine's side. The cam was driven off the crankshaft by chain, or, on some advanced racers, by a train of lightened, straight-cut gears. This engine design offered the benefits of an overhead camshaft without that system's bulk. The result was an all-conquering production racer that swept Italian and American race events.

1953-1963... 175cc and 200cc High Cam Motorcycles:
Moto Parilla
Identification Guide
Most Parilla Motorcycles have a 6 digit serial number, the first 3 digits are the model number and the last 3 digits are the production numbers. The frame numbers can be found stamped into the left side of the steering head, and the engine number can be found stamped into the crankcase near the top rear mounting lug. Frame and engine numbers should match. Some competion engines entered the United States with no serial numbers.

250xxx
250cc four-stroke High Cam Turismo "Tourist" and Scrambler "Trailmaster" 1960-1963.
These engines have the same size valves as the 260xxx and 700xxx engines but did not have other features of the Grand Sport and Wildcat engines, such as roller-bearing rocker arms.
Cosmopolitan imported large shipments of replacement 250cc High Cam engines sourced from a dealership network in England and from the Parilla factory in Italy.
These engines often did not have serial numbers.
Cosmopolitan had a stock of these motors in the 1990s, when they were sold to Peter Simmonds in Australia
260xxx
250cc four-stroke High Cam MSDS (Macchina Sport derivato dalla Serie) "Grand Sport" 1961-1962.
Big brother of the 501xxx 175cc engine, bored and stroked to 250cc.
Compression 9.5:1, 26 HP at 9500 RPM.
Ignition by battery and generator.
Probably only 50 imported into the United States.
400xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. 1953
401xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. 1954
402xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. 1954-1955.
Bore and Stroke 59.8 * 62 mm.
Compression 6.5:1, 9 HP at 6500 RPM.
20 mm Carburetor. Ignition by generator and battery.
Not imported into the United States.
403xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. 1955
404xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. 1955.
Some early 175cc engines had cast iron barrels and cylinder heads.
406xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. Lusso Veloce "Speedster" 1955-1957.
Cast iron barrel with aluminum alloy head and brass combustion chamber skull.
Compression 6.5:1, 14 HP at 6500 RPM.
20 mm Carburetor. Ignition by generator and battery.
First 175cc street bikes imported into the United States by Cosmopolitan.
407xxx
175cc and 200cc four-stroke High Cam 1958-1959.
Compression 7.5:1, 15 HP at 7000 RPM.
22 mm Carburetor. Ignition by generator and battery.
A hotter version of the 406xxx motorcycle with speedometer and capable of 100 mph.
The 407xxx motorcycles that were imported into the United States in 1958-1959 were the larger bore 200cc engines call "Super Speedsters" by Cosmopolitan.
408xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. 195?. None imported to the United States
409xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam. 195?. None imported to the United States
410xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam Sport Speciale "Super Speedster" (Sport Special in England) 1959-1961.
Compression 8:1, 11 HP at 6500 RPM.
22 mm Carburetor. Ignition by generator and battery.
None imported to the United States
500xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam First Series MSDS Sport Competizione with Earles front forks.
Compression 8:1, 19 HP at 9500 RPM.
22 mm Carburetor. Ignition by generator and battery.
Early second series MSDS "Grand Sport" with telescopic forks and wide tank.
501xxx
175cc four-stroke High Cam late second series MSDS "Grand Sport".
Compression 9:1, 14-16 HP at 9000 RPM.
22.5 mm Carburetor. Ignition by generator and battery.
Third series MSDS "Grand Sport" and Scrambler "Wildcat".
The engine was also used in the Bronco three wheeler.
700xxx
First series
98cc two stroke Fauno "Phantom" bikes. 1955-1958.
5 hp Ignition was by magneto. Imported into the United States.
Second series
250cc four-stroke High Cam Tipo America Scrambler "Wildcat" 1961-1963.
Compression 9.5:1, 26HP at 9500 RPM.
28 mm Carburetor. Ignition by generator and battery.
Engines were a continuation of the 175cc and 200cc engines.
701xxx
Second and late series of the 250cc four-stroke High Cam Tipo America Scrambler "Wildcat".
The hottest engine built by Parilla.

Most Parilla Motorcycles have a 6 digit serial number, the first 3 digits are the model number and the last 3 digits are the production numbers. The frame numbers can be found stamped into the left side of the steering head, and the engine number can be found stamped into the crankcase near the top rear mounting lug. Frame and engine numbers should match. Some competion engines entered the United States with no serial numbers.

???xxx
250cc four-stroke parallel twin Setter.
Made it's debut in 1953, and only for one year.
It had a Triumph style gas tank, a single seat and a Parilla Greyhound logo on the front fender.
It was not imported into the United States
350xxx
350cc four-stroke parallel twin Veltro Turismo 1955-1959
Bore and stroke 58 * 62 mm.
Compression 6.5:1, 16 HP at 5500 RPM.
Carburettor 22mm, Ignition by generator and battery.
The Veltro was imported into the United States as the Clipper, high handlebars were added.
Perhaps less than 100 were imported to the United States.
360xxx
350cc four-stroke parallel twin Veltro Gran Turismo "Clipper" 1955-1961
Bore and stroke 58 * 62 mm.
Compression 6.5:1, 19 HP at 5500 RPM.
Carburettor 22mm, Ignition by generator and battery.
Imported into the United States in small numbers

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