Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands Viewing: Tues 21st July from 1pm Auction: Wed 22th July from 10am Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ Registration No: WEU 135L Frame No: MV4C75 214-0599 MOT: Exempt A notably late, ‘matching numbers’ example built on December 12th, 1974, complete with front disc brakes Supplied new by W. H. Lowe Pty. Co. Ltd. of Balwyn, Melbourne (Ferrari, Lancia and MV Agusta concessionaires) Imported into the United Kingdom by previous keeper Roger Thomas who acquired the bike in Sydney during 1984 Current family ownership since 1994 but only very sparingly used Credible low mileage due to long periods of static display and will require recommissioning It is highly unlikely that MV Agusta’s record of seventeen consecutive 500cc World Championship victories (1958-1974 inclusive) will ever be beaten. The majority were achieved with four-cylinder power and so expectations were high when the Italian marque unveiled a similarly configured road bike, the 600, at the 1965 Milan Motorcycle Show. Unfortunately, Count Agusta’s insistence that the newcomer should be a tourer (lest enterprising privateers modify it into a competitor) resulted in a slow-selling machine whose staid looks were at odds with its exotic engine. Viewed as something of an ugly duckling, the 600 was supplanted by the altogether more swan-like 750 in 1969. Decidedly sporting, the larger capacity machine utilised a similarly race-derived powerplant (sand-cast crankcase and cylinder head, nine-piece crankshaft, heavily ribbed sump, spur gear-driven overhead camshafts) but mounted it in a sleeker frame complete with a 35mm Ceriani front fork, swing-arm rear, Grimeca duo-duplex front drum brake and Borrani 18in. wire wheels. Breathing viâ quad Dell’Orto carburettors, the 750 Sport was credited with developing some 66bhp at 8, 000rpm. Reputedly capable of 120mph, the MV Agusta was among the fastest and best looking sports bikes of its generation. Evolving over time, later variants boasted more power, a higher top speed and twin front disc brakes. Decidedly expensive, the model was handbuilt in tiny numbers achieving just 583 sales by the time production ceased in 1975. Revered for its red, white and blue colour scheme, performance, rarity and pedigree, the 750 Sport has long been a ‘blue chip’ collectible. A letter on file from the late E. P. Eacott Esq., writing in his capacity as spares secretary for the MV Agusta Owners’ Club of Great Britain, states that frame number MV4C75 2140599 was fitted with engine number 2140572 and completed on December 12th, 1974. A notably late, disc-braked 750 S, it is further understood to have been supplied new by W. H. Lowe Pty. Co. Ltd. of Balwyn, Melbourne, who were also Ferrari and Lancia concessionaires. Resident in Sydney when Roger Thomas Esq. acquired it in 1984, the MV Agusta relocated with him to Britain some five years later. Entering the current family ownership viâ a Sotheby’s auction during December, 1994, the 750 S has been very sparingly ridden over the past three plus decades. As such, the vendor feels there is a chance that its modest odometer reading of 12, 241 miles represents the total covered from new. Stabled alongside a 1978 MV Agusta 832 Monza in his late uncle’s significant collection, an accompanying missive from the latter concludes with the line: “Imagine the noise when two MVs are terrorising the neighbourhood.” The tank has been repainted but otherwise the motorcycle is believed to be substantially original, although ‘WEU 135L’ will now require recommissioning prior to any use. Among the last 750 S machines to be completed, coming from long-term ownership and pleasingly retaining what it appears to be its factory-fitted engine, frame 2140599 is not to be missed. Offered for sale with old-type V5 Registration Document (which gives an assumed date of manufacture as 1972), dating letter and other correspondence. ** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply** Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2...
