MV
Agusta Motorcycle History
Started out as
an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company,
brothers Count Vincenzo Agusta and Domenico
formed MV Agusta (Meccanica Verghera) at the
end of the Second World War as a means to save
the jobs of employees of their late fathers
firm.
The first prototype "Vespa 98" was
build in 1945. Piaggio already registered this
name, so it became “98”. The company
successfully manufactured small-displacement,
quintessential Café racer style motorcycles
(mostly 125-150 cc) through the 1950s and 1960s.
In the 60s small motorcycle sales declined,
and MV started producing larger displacement
cycles in more limited quantities. A 250 cc,
and later a smart 350 cc twin were produced.
A 600 cc four-cylinder evolved into a 750 cc
which is still extremely valuable today. Following
the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971 the
company declined and by 1980, it stopped producing
motorcycles altogether.
MV Agusta Grand Prix racing
Count Vincenzo and Domenico Agusta had a passion
for mechanical workings and for motorcycle racing.
Their three and four cylinder race bikes were
known for their excellent road handling. The
fire-engine red racing machines became a hallmark
of Grand Prix racing in the 1960s and early
1970s, winning 17 consecutive 500 cc World Championships
and 63 World Championships overall. With the
passing of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971 the
company lost its guidance. In 1980 MV Agusta
was out of racing.
In 1948 the company built a 125 cc two stroke
single and entered Franco Bertoni in the Italian
Grand Prix. Bertoni won the event held in Monza
and instantly put the new motorcycle manufacturer
on the map.
1950 and 1951 were development years , as the
company adopted the 125 Dohc four stroke engine.
Racing efforts only produced a fifth place finish
at Assen in 1950. The 1951 results were only
slightly better.
Arturo Magni and Piero Remor joined the company
in 1950. Magni was the chief mechanic and Remor
was chief designer. In 1952 telescopic forks,
full width alloy brake hubs and a sleek fuel
tank were introduced on the 125 race bike, making
15 bhp @ 10,800 rpms. This MV 125 won the 1952
Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.
MV Agusta 500cc
Race engineers adopted the Earl-type forks
in ’53 to improve the works racers. This
was also the year the 350 Four was introduced,
spreading MV’s racing range over the 500cc,
350cc and 125cc class.
The Sport Compitione racer which came available
for privateers in 1953 shared a lot of features
with the factory bike. This bike was nick-named
“The Boy Racer”.
The mid 1950’s saw the introduction
of the 175cc class. MV Agusta produced the 175
CSS for street use and also developed a 175cc
production racer for privateer racing. Racers
like, Micheal O’Rourke, Derek Minter and
Bob Keeler raced the 175 and 125 Sport Competizione
around Europe with a great deal of success.
1957 was the year Mike Hailwood raced the MV
175cc .
The 1950’s had notable MV Agusta racers
like Bill Lamos, Nello Pagani, Ray Amm, Fortunato
Libanori, Luigi Taveri, Umberto Mosseti and
Remo Venturi that brought many victories to
MV Agusta racing. In late 1955 , MV added John
Surtees to the list. It was he who won the 1956
500c World Championship on the Quattro Cilindri.
From 1958-1960 John Surtees went on winning
six World Championships for MV in the 350cc
and 500cc classes.
The 1960’s 500cc World Championships
were dominated by MV Agusta, with riders Gary
Hocking, Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini.
In 1968 , Agostini won the 350cc World Championship
title, followed by five consecutive years of
350cc World Championships for MV.
Production Models 1946-1980
- 1946-1949 - 98cc
- 1947 - 125 Twin
- 1948-1949 - 125 3-Speed
- 1949-1954 - 125 TEL
- 1949-1951 - 125 CSL Scooter
- 1956 - Pullman 125cc
- 1947-1951 - 250
- 1950-1953 - 125 Motore Lungo
- 1950-1952 - 125 CGT Scooter
- 1950 - 500 Turismo
- 1951-1954 - Ovunque Scooter
- 1953 - 150 - 1952
- 1953-1959 - 175 CS
- 1953-1956 - Pullman
- 1954-1958 - 125 Turismo Rapido
- 1955-1959 - 48 Moped
- 1952 - 150cc Turismo
- 1955-1957 - Superpullman
- 1955 - 300 Twin
- 1956-1962 - Raid 250cc-300cc
- 1958-1960 - Ottantatre 83cc
- 1958-1959 - 175 A B
- 1959-1963 - 125 TREL. Centomila
- 1959-1970 - 150 4T
- 1960-1964 - Chicco Scooter
- 1959-1960 - Tevere 235
- 1960-1969 - Checca (83cc-99cc-125cc)
- 1962-1969 - Liberty 50cc
- 1972 - MV Agusta 350
- 1964-1968 - Germano 50cc
- 1964-1965 - Arno 166 GT
- 1964-1973 - 125 GT-GTL
- 1965-1970 - 125 Regolarita
- 1966-1971 - 250 Twin
- 1965-1980 - Four Cylinder series
- 1970-1974 - MV Agusta 350B Sport
- 1975-1980 - 350 Ipotesi
- 1975-1980 - 125 Sport
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