MV Agusta - page2

The History

It was the Count's father who started the business as an aircraft manufacturer, an activity at which it's still going strong - ISTR that they also supply the UK's Special Air Service, amongst others with helicopters.

Over fifty years ago, after the 2nd World War the market for military aircraft wasn't quite as good (as it had been ;-), and like Piaggio and many other Italian companies, it was Count Domenico's idea to convert to 2 wheeler production.

Success in international competitions was a long time coming, but the Count was unrivalled in the sheer passion, tenacity, hard work and - not to over state it.... money, that he injected into his racing activities.

The first breakthrough came in 1952 with the 125cc world title going to Cecil Sandford, after which the outstanding development talents of first, Carlo Ubbiali, and later John Surtees turned the 500/4's into Grand Prix winners.
All this could have been a different story, when just as MV were becoming established as serious contenders for the top honours, the big names of Guzzi and Gilera pulled out of racing in the late 1950's. This devalued the competition somewhat, and without effective competition the MV name dominated racing for more than a decade, as the last European racing team to hold out against the Japanese.

MV's name lies steeped in racing history. The technical know-how of Arturo Magni coupled to such famous racing names like John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read to name just four of MV's Champions.

Buyers of the rare road going MV's were no doubt seduced by the thought of buying a bike that closely resembled the specs of those race bikes.
The racing success lead to true no compromise road machines:

The Bikes

• ex- Agostini MV Agusta 350/4 photo'd in the USA.
  

• MV Agusta 500 triple racer.
  

• Giacomo Agostini on MV.
  

  Giacomo Agostini, the 10 times TT winner returned to the TT course in 1991 after an absence of 19 years. He did a lap in the parade of honour on a 500cc 3 cylinder MV Agusta., a bike that gave him many of his victories in the 60's and 70's.
  

• 1972 MV Agusta 350B.
  

• 1975 MV Agusta 750 Sport.
  

• 1977 MV Agusta Cento Valles.
  

• MV Agusta Monza.
  

• Your MV pics are most welcome, please email me with details to webmaster@italia.co.uk.
  

Links

• The Moto Club Internazionale MV Agusta
  

  Home page of the Italian based MV Agusta Club that hosts the annual MV Revival meetings.
  http://www.malpensa.it/motoclub/Pagina1.html
  

• Italia Connection's MV Agusta Page
  
  • MV Revival meeting
    
    • Italia Connection's Home Page