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Casalini, LLC

Since 1939

Casalini

Founded in Piacenza in 1939 by Giovanni Casalini, Casalini S.r.l. is one of the most iconic and enduring names in Italian micromobility. Originally established as a manufacturer of industrial machinery and bicycle components, the Emilia-based company has spanned over eighty years of industrial history, evolving into a pioneer of minicars in Italy. Its name is inextricably linked to the David motorized tricycles and the Sulky, the three-wheeled vehicle that, since the 1970s, has revolutionized the way people get around in Italian cities and provinces.

From Pasta to Bicycles: The Origins (1939–1969)
When it first began operations, Casalini did not manufacture motor vehicles. Production focused on molds for stamping buttons on pasta machines and dough mixers, as well as on light metal fabrication—in particular, bicycle frames and forks.

After World War II, driven by the boom in mass motorization and the need for affordable transportation, the company restructured its operations. In the 1950s, the David made its debut—a 50-cc scooter that marked the brand’s official entry into the world of motorized vehicles. From that first frame emerged a series of utility motorized carts and motorcycles designed for light freight transport, ideal for artisans, farmers, and small business owners. In the 1960s, the company continued to produce “regularity”-class recreational mopeds, laying the mechanical foundations and building the industrial expertise that would lead to the breakthrough that would forever change its destiny.

The Sulky Revolution

The Sulky Revolution: The Phenomenon of the '70s and '80s
In 1970, the Casalini Sulky made its debut on Italian roads, effectively pioneering the category of license-free microcars. The name was inspired by the “sulky,” the ultra-lightweight two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse in trotting races.

The Sulky was a small tricycle just 2.4 meters long, designed to seat two people and featuring a closed body integrated with a tubular steel frame. Its technical features ensured its immediate success:
• simple and efficient mechanics, featuring a 50-cc Minarelli P3 (later P4) two-stroke engine mounted on the rear axle with a manual transmission;
• low fuel consumption: It could travel about 50 km on a single liter of a 4% gasoline-oil mixture.
• Solutions derived from the Ape 50: Starting with the second series, Casalini adopted a mechanical platform inspired by that of the Piaggio Ape, sharing its engine, drivetrain components, differential, and hydraulic braking system acting on all three wheels.
The key to its social impact lay in the regulations of the time: the first series of the Sulky did not require a license plate or a driver’s license and could be driven as early as age 14. The vehicle became the perfect solution for 14-year-olds seeking independence, for seniors in small towns, and for anyone looking for shelter from the elements compared to the classic moped or the Vespa. The Sulky became so widespread that it turned into a pop icon of the Italian comedy of the era, appearing in famous films starring actors such as Lino Banfi and Renato Pozzetto.