Pedro Permanyer, experimentado industrial, y Francisco Bultó, apasionado piloto e ingeniero, fundaron en 1944 Montesa, nombre que tomaron de una orden medieval y simbolizaron con una “M” gótica. Tras desarrollar un prototipo de 98 cc, en 1945 presentan la primera Montesa, la A-45 o “Yaya”. Aquel primer año vendieron las 22 motos que pudieron fabricar. El siguiente modelo, la B46/49, elevó la cilindrada a 125 cc y la D-51 fue la primera Montesa roja. En 1953 aparece la Brío 90, la primera de la saga que situó a Montesa como un gran fabricante.
Pedro Permanyer, an experienced industrialist, and Francisco Bultó, a passionate rider and engineer, founded Montesa in 1944. They took the name from a medieval order and symbolised it with a Gothic-style «M». After developing a 98 cc prototype, they introduced their first production model in 1945, the Montesa A-45, also known as “Yaya”. That first year, they managed to sell all 22 motorcycles they produced. The next model, the B46/49, increased the engine capacity to 125 cc, and the D-51 became the first red Montesa. In 1953, the Brío 90 was launched, marking the beginning of a legendary series that established Montesa as a major manufacturer.