It all started with a passion for motorsport.
In the early 1960s, Giampiero Moretti, an Italian amateur racing driver, commissioned a custom steering wheel for his car from a local craftsman. Not only was it smaller than any other steering wheel of the time, but the rim diameter was also larger, providing a much better grip and making the car easier to drive.
This did not go unnoticed by many drivers, including John Surtees, then driving for Ferrari in Formula 1, who requested to install this steering wheel in his F1 car in 1964. It was an excellent year for Surtees and Ferrari, who were crowned world champions, but also for the Moretti steering wheel, which had played an integral part in this triumph. Requests for this steering wheel began pouring in, and a passion quickly transformed into a business.
Photo: Grand Prix Photo
In 1966, a factory in Tregnano, near Verona, Italy, opened its doors and began official production of MOMO steering wheels (for MORETTI-MONZA). The first order, of course, came from Ferrari, which decided to use these steering wheels on all its racing cars. Who better to guarantee almost immediate international recognition?
The range of steering wheels is expanding, and while initially Momo limited itself to supplying the motorsport industry, the early 70s marked an important turning point in the company's history with the launch of aluminum rims for the road and sales to the public.
Momo signed agreements with Ferrari, of course, but also with Rolls-Royce in the late 1980s and became an original equipment manufacturer. Aston Martin, Citroën, Daihatsu, Fiat, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Peugeot, Renault, Saab, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo quickly followed .
In 1982, MOMO Design was created and the following year MOMO CORSE was born (specializing in the manufacture and distribution of equipment for motorsport).
Momo also continued its involvement in motorsport and in 1983 the Brabham team, whose cars were equipped with MOMO aluminium rims, was crowned F1 World Champion.
Mario Andretti, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Michele Alboreto, Michael Schumacher and well before them Niki Lauda, Jackie Stewart and Clay Regazzoni are just a few examples of drivers who have raced in cars equipped with MOMO steering wheels and/or rims.
In 1998, Moretti won the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen driving the legendary Ferrari 333 SP.
Today MOMO has become a legend in its own right with products designed for enthusiasts with the same passion as more than 50 years ago.
Gianpiero Moretti , founder of the MOMO brand
