The Montesa Esplugues factory was built in 1963 and was demolished in 2002.
After spending a great afternoon with Pere Pi, his wife of many years Maria Isern and his son Ot Pi, Pere took us on another trip.
We went to the old Montesa factory in Esplugues. I genuinely thought that this had all been demolished but no, a large proportion of it still remains. Being both excited to arrive here and see that it was still standing Pere and I jumped out and we were off. I looked behind me and wondered where my wife was. She was asleep in the car. Can you believe it?. I go to all this trouble of bringing her to some of the finest RetroTrials locations and she falls asleep ;). So we left her .........
Here is a drawing I put together of my walking route around the site, so that when you look at the photos you should be able to work out where we are.
After spending a great afternoon with Pere Pi, his wife of many years Maria Isern and his son Ot Pi, Pere took us on another trip.
We went to the old Montesa factory in Esplugues. I genuinely thought that this had all been demolished but no, a large proportion of it still remains. Being both excited to arrive here and see that it was still standing Pere and I jumped out and we were off. I looked behind me and wondered where my wife was. She was asleep in the car. Can you believe it?. I go to all this trouble of bringing her to some of the finest RetroTrials locations and she falls asleep ;). So we left her .........
Here is a drawing I put together of my walking route around the site, so that when you look at the photos you should be able to work out where we are.
This is a photo later given to me by Pere. I did note that some of the building purposes had changed but that's not surprising as the Montesa factory was here for many years. If it's anything like the office I work out, they would be having a shuffle around every 6 months.
An old Aerial photo of the Esplugues factory, with the car park and gate on the far side. This photo would have been taken in about 1960 and during the Franco years.
Pere works his magic on the security guard.
Were in and legging it across the car park. Looking back at the gate building....Nope , were not being chased :).
Within the car park of the factory is the famous sculpture named prototypes Montesa 1947-1970. It was commissioned by Montesa and designed and built by Josep Maria Subirachs. It was placed in situ in 1971.
These two 7 metre tall concrete monoliths are inscribed with the names of some of the models of motorcycles made by Montesa. Placed between the block are some motorcycle parts. On the far side of the monument are 6 plaques with the names of every employee inscribed.
I was disappointed to see me going over the handlebars on a Cota 348 and breaking my thumb nail off , wasnt recorded on the plaque . They've got their priorities wrong ;)
These two 7 metre tall concrete monoliths are inscribed with the names of some of the models of motorcycles made by Montesa. Placed between the block are some motorcycle parts. On the far side of the monument are 6 plaques with the names of every employee inscribed.
I was disappointed to see me going over the handlebars on a Cota 348 and breaking my thumb nail off , wasnt recorded on the plaque . They've got their priorities wrong ;)