was a company that manufactured motorcycles from 1948 to 1967. The company's Lilac model motorcycle was recognized by the

Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan A society () is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Soc ...

, who included the 1950 Marusho Lilac ML as one of their ''240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology''.

History

Masashi Itō started Marusho in

Hamamatsu is a Cities of Japan, city located in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In September 2023, the city had an estimated population of 780,128 in 340,591 households, making it the prefecture's largest city, with a population density of over the t ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

, in 1948 after being apprenticed with

Soichiro Honda was a Japanese engineer and industrialist. In 1948, he established Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and oversaw its expansion from a wooden shack manufacturing bicycle motors to a multinational automobile and motorcycle manufacturer. Early years Honda ...

. The company produced shaft driven models like the Lilac, and showcased its technical prowess to the world in the Mount Asama Volcano Race, competing well against the likes of

Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...

Meguro is a Special wards of Tokyo, special ward in the Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis in Japan. The English translation of its Japanese self-designation is Meguro City. The ward was founded on March 15, 1947. Meguro is predominantly residential in character ...

Yamaha Yamaha may refer to: People * Torakusu Yamaha, a Japanese businessman and founder of the Yamaha Corporation Companies * Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese musical instrument and audio equipment manufacturer ** Yamaha Music Foundation, an organi ...

, and

Suzuki is a Japanese multinational mobility manufacturer headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka. It manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a va ...

. Company founder Masashi Itō died in 2005 at the age of 92. Marusho Lilac 02

Lilac motorcycles

*Dragon (350cc) *Lancer (350cc) *AQ (125cc) *UY (250cc) *BR (175cc) *PV (125cc) *LS (250cc) *ML 1950 150cc 2.43 kW/4000rpm *LB 1952 150cc *KD 1952 150cc *LS38 Lilac.Lancer.MkV 1959 250cc 14.92 kW/8000rpm *DP90 New.Baby.Lilac 1958 90cc 2.94 kW/5000rpm *LS18 MkII 1960 250cc 13.1 kW/6800rpm *C130 1964 125cc 10.9 kW/11000rpm *JF Baby.Lilac 1953 90cc 2.4 kW/5500rpm *Lilac.R92 Marusho.ST 1964 500cc 26.2 kW/6300rpm *Lilac.R92 Marusho.Magnum.Electra 1966 500cc 27.9 kW/7000rpm *Lilac.CF40 1960 125cc 7.72 kW/8000rpm *Lilac.Lance.SW 1955 400cc 8.82 kW/4800rpm *Lilac.Lance.SY 1955 250cc 6.25 kW/4700rpm

References

Motorcycle manufacturers of Japan Defunct companies of Japan Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1948 Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1967 Japanese companies established in 1948 1967 disestablishments in Japan Honda {{Motorcycle-manufacturer-stub