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Difference between revisions of "MV Agusta"
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[[File: | [[File:MV Agusta logo.svg|100px|right]] | ||
'''MV Agusta''' is a [[motorcycle]] manufacturer founded in 1945 near Milan in Cascina Costa, Italy. The company began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company which was formed by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923. The Count died in 1927, leaving the company in the hands of his wife and sons, Domenico, Vincenzo, Mario and Corrado. Count Vincenzo Agusta together with his brother Domenico formed MV Agusta (the MV stood for Meccanica Verghera) at the end of the Second World War as a means to save the jobs of employees of the Agusta firm and also to fill the post-war need for cheap, efficient transportation. The company manufactured small-displacement, [[Café racer]] style motorcycles (mostly 125 to 150 cc) through the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1960s small motorcycle sales declined, and MV started producing larger displacement cycles in more limited quantities. A 250 cc, and later a 350 cc twin were produced, and a 600 cc four-cylinder evolved into a 750 cc which is still extremely valuable today. | '''MV Agusta''' is a [[motorcycle]] manufacturer founded in 1945 near Milan in Cascina Costa, Italy. The company began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company which was formed by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923. The Count died in 1927, leaving the company in the hands of his wife and sons, Domenico, Vincenzo, Mario and Corrado. Count Vincenzo Agusta together with his brother Domenico formed MV Agusta (the MV stood for Meccanica Verghera) at the end of the Second World War as a means to save the jobs of employees of the Agusta firm and also to fill the post-war need for cheap, efficient transportation. The company manufactured small-displacement, [[Café racer]] style motorcycles (mostly 125 to 150 cc) through the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1960s small motorcycle sales declined, and MV started producing larger displacement cycles in more limited quantities. A 250 cc, and later a 350 cc twin were produced, and a 600 cc four-cylinder evolved into a 750 cc which is still extremely valuable today. | ||
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[[Image:750 America.JPG|thumb|right|750 America]] | [[Image:750 America.JPG|thumb|right|750 America]] | ||
[[Image:Agostini, Giacomo 1976-08-28.jpg|thumb|right|Giacomo Agostini on the MV Agusta 350 Four Cylinder]] | [[Image:Agostini, Giacomo 1976-08-28.jpg|thumb|right|Giacomo Agostini on the MV Agusta 350 Four Cylinder]] | ||
Count Vincenzo and Domenico Agusta had a passion for mechanical workings and for motorcycle racing. Much like Enzo Ferrari, they produced and sold motorcycles almost | Count Vincenzo and Domenico Agusta had a passion for mechanical workings and for motorcycle racing. Much like Enzo Ferrari, they produced and sold motorcycles almost exclusively to fund their racing efforts. They were determined to have the best [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing]] team in the world and spared no expense on their passion. MV Agusta produced their first prototype, called "Vespa 98", in 1945. After learning that the name had already been registered by [[Piaggio]] for its [[Vespa]] [[motorscooter]], it was referred to simply by the number “98”. 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. | ||
In [[1949 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1949 season]], the 125 cc or Ultra light weight class gained new prestige. More motorcycle manufacturers were competing in the inaugural World Championships that were held in Switzerland, Holland and Italy. The [[Mondial (motorcycle manufacturer)|Mondial]] 125 cc DOHC design dominated the 1949 season. The MV riders placed 9th and 10th in the final standings. In 1950, Arturo Magni and Piero Remor joined the company after working with Gilera. Magni was the chief mechanic and Remor was chief designer <ref>MV Agusta All production road and racing motorcycles. Mick Walker. Osprey Publishing Limited</ref>. The [[1950 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1950 season]] and [[1951 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1951 season]] were development years, as the company adopted the [[MV Agusta 125 Sohc|125 Dohc]] [[four-stroke]] engine. Racing efforts only produced a fifth place finish at the [[Dutch TT]] in 1950. The 1951, results were only slightly better. | In [[1949 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1949 season]], the 125 cc or Ultra light weight class gained new prestige. More motorcycle manufacturers were competing in the inaugural World Championships that were held in Switzerland, Holland and Italy. The [[Mondial (motorcycle manufacturer)|Mondial]] 125 cc DOHC design dominated the 1949 season. The MV riders placed 9th and 10th in the final standings. In 1950, Arturo Magni and Piero Remor joined the company after working with Gilera. Magni was the chief mechanic and Remor was chief designer <ref>MV Agusta All production road and racing motorcycles. Mick Walker. Osprey Publishing Limited</ref>. The [[1950 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1950 season]] and [[1951 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1951 season]] were development years, as the company adopted the [[MV Agusta 125 Sohc|125 Dohc]] [[four-stroke]] engine. Racing efforts only produced a fifth place finish at the [[Dutch TT]] in 1950. The 1951, results were only slightly better. | ||
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The [[1952 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1952 season]] saw the introduction of telescopic forks, full width alloy brake hubs and a sleek fuel tank on the 125 race bike. Power was 15bhp @ 10800 rpm. Britain's [[Cecil Sandford]] piloted the new MV 125 to a [[1952 Isle of Man TT]] victory and went on to win MV Agusta's first [[List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World champions|world championship]]. | The [[1952 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1952 season]] saw the introduction of telescopic forks, full width alloy brake hubs and a sleek fuel tank on the 125 race bike. Power was 15bhp @ 10800 rpm. Britain's [[Cecil Sandford]] piloted the new MV 125 to a [[1952 Isle of Man TT]] victory and went on to win MV Agusta's first [[List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World champions|world championship]]. | ||
With the success of the 1952 season, independent or “privateer” riders could now purchase a “catalog” version of the 125 Dohc, now available through the company. The [[MV Agusta 125 Sohc|Sport Competizione]] racer had many of the same features as the factory bike. These included a multi-plate clutch, gear-driven oil pump, Dell'Orto 27mm SS1 carburetor and remote [[float chamber]]. The bike was nick-named “The Boy Racer”. In [[1953 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1953]] the race engineers adopted the Earl-type forks to help with handling problems on the works racers. The 1953 season saw the introduction of the 350 Four. MV’s racing efforts now included the 500 cc, 350 cc and 125 cc class. | With the success of the 1952 season, independent or “privateer” riders could now purchase a “catalog” version of the 125 Dohc, now available through the company. The [[MV Agusta 125 Sohc|Sport Competizione]] racer had many of the same features as the factory bike. These included a multi-plate clutch, gear-driven oil pump, Dell'Orto 27mm SS1 carburetor and remote [[float chamber]]. The bike was nick-named “The Boy Racer”. In [[1953 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1953]] the race engineers adopted the [[Earl-type forks]] to help with handling problems on the [[works racers]]. The 1953 season saw the introduction of the 350 Four. MV’s racing efforts now included the 500 cc, 350 cc and 125 cc class. | ||
The mid 1950s saw the introduction of the 175 cc class. MV Agusta produced the 175 CSS for street use and also developed a 175 cc production racer for privateer racing. The 175 cc was very popular in Britain in the mid 1950s. 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. The marketing strategy of “race it on Sunday , sell it on Monday” was employed. For racing, early MV racing engines had the right side casting removed for instant access to the gear box. | The mid 1950s saw the introduction of the 175 cc class. MV Agusta produced the 175 CSS for street use and also developed a 175 cc production racer for privateer racing. The 175 cc was very popular in Britain in the mid 1950s. 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. The marketing strategy of “race it on Sunday , sell it on Monday” was employed. For racing, early MV racing engines had the right side casting removed for instant access to the gear box. | ||
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A limited production edition of the F4 1000 R known as the F4 CC, named after Claudio Castiglioni (the managing director of MV Agusta), is the most expensive production motorcycle with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $120,000 USD. | A limited production edition of the F4 1000 R known as the F4 CC, named after Claudio Castiglioni (the managing director of MV Agusta), is the most expensive production motorcycle with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $120,000 USD. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[Cagiva]] | |||
*[[Husqvarna]] | |||
*[[Harley-Davidson]] | |||
*[[:Category:MV Agusta motorcycles]] | |||
*[[List of MV Agusta motorcycles]] | *[[List of MV Agusta motorcycles]] | ||
==References== | |||
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers]] | [[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers]] | ||
[[Category:Italian motorcycles]] | |||
[[Category:Harley-Davidson]] | |||