Both units were successor to the World War II era 131st Armored Division "Centauro".

On 18 April 1943 the division was disbanded due to the losses suffered in the Battle of El Guettar.

The Armored Division "Centauro" was part of the 3rd Army Corps based in North-Western Italy.

Before the Italian Army reform of 1975 the division had the following organization: In 1975 the Italian Army undertook a major reorganization of it forces: the regimental level was abolished and battalions came under direct command of newly formed multi-arms brigades.

The units of the 1st Armored Bersaglieri Regiment were transferred to the Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna" in Rome.

On 21 October 1975 the Centauro took command of the two newly created brigades and additional units to bring it up to full strength.

On 1 July 1991 101st Tank Battalion joined the Bersaglieri Brigade "Garibaldi" and transferred to Persano in the south of Italy.