Description
This motorcycle is Lot 54 to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on April 25th & 26th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details. Auction Timings: Lots 1 - 94 are to be sold from 14:30 on Saturday 25th April 2026. Lots 201 - 353 are to be sold from 11:30am on Sunday 26th April 2026. Public Viewing: Available 25th & 26th April 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show). The Connoisseurs Collection, Part II ** 1955 MV Agusta 123cc Bialbero Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle** Registration no. not registered Frame no. 150178 Engine no. 150177 ** The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter. If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.** MV Agusta's racing 125cc two-strokes that first appeared in 1948 were a major success, but at World Championship level the MV strokers were outclassed by the four-stroke FB Mondial with its twin-overhead-cam engine. Count Agusta's response was to hire Gilera's chief designer, Piero Remor, together with its chief mechanic, Arturo Magni in 1950. Although boasting twin overhead camshafts (bialbero), the new Remor-designed 125cc four-stroke was not an immediate success. It was only following Mondial's withdrawal from racing that MV bagged its first 125cc World Championship, Cecil Sandford taking the riders' title in 1952. MV's 125 had been extensively redesigned for '52, gaining telescopic forks, full-width alloy hubs and a sleeker fuel tank, while maximum power increased to 15bhp. Les Graham's influence saw the 125 equipped with Ernie Earles' leading-link front forks for 1953 and these also found their way onto the 500cc four. Graham won the Ultra-lightweight TT at the Isle of Man that year but his tragic death a few days later dealt a severe blow to the team's fortunes; NSU works rider Werner Haas took the riders' title in the 125cc class but MV did at least have the satisfaction of retaining the manufacturers' crown. NSU continued its dominance of the 125cc class in 1954, works rider Rupert Hollaus being crowned World Champion at the year's end with MV's Carlo Ubbiali runner-up. The German factory's withdrawal at the end of 1954 left no credible opposition in the lightweight classes for MV, which duly scooped its second 125cc World Championship in 1955, winning all six Grands Prix that year. Carlo Ubbiali's five wins ensured the Italian of his second world title. For the next five years the combination of Ubbiali and the 125 MV would prove almost unbeatable. The Italian would secure four more 125cc World Championships before retiring at the end of the 1960 season, an almost unprecedented run of success only interrupted in 1957 by Mondial-mounted Tarquinio Provini. Ubbiali also claimed the 250cc world title for MV in 1956, '59 and '60. Ubbiali's retirement coincided with MV's withdrawal from serious involvement in the lightweight classes at international level, but what an extraordinary achievement it had been. We have been advised that this machine was brought into the UK in the late 1950s as part of an order comprising two machines for the same rider. Owing to the long delivery time, the order was never completed and the two bikes were instead placed on display at the UK importer, Ron Harris. After remaining there for a year or two, both machines were sold to John Field, and later - after considerable perseverance and persuasion - were acquired by Norman Webb. Originally supplied by MV with magnesium front and rear brakes, these were replaced with alloy items while in Webb's ownership. A period photograph taken in 1980 at Webb's premises confirms this specification change. Around 1990, this motorcycle was acquired by John Surtees. The MV was purchased by the vendor from John Surtees Ltd in January 1998. A copy of the related invoice is on file, recording the frame number as '150176', which is presumed to be a clerical error given the machine's known frame and engine number and provenance. The motorcycle is presented today in restored condition; the engine turns over, but following a period of inactivity the machine will require recommissioning and/ or further restoration to a greater or lesser extent before use and is thus sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding. Key not required All lots are sold ‘as is/ where is’ and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance...
