1971 MV Agusta 750S

1971 MV Agusta 750S
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. MV4C75*214054*
Engine no. 214-047
• MV's first 750 sports roadster
• One of only 402 made
• Present ownership since January 2016

Developed from its long line of highly successful multi-cylinder Grand Prix racers, MV Agusta's first four-cylinder roadster - the 4C, a twin-carburettor, 600cc, shaft-driven tourer - appeared in 1965. But the public demanded something more exciting from many-times World Champions MV, and the Gallarate manufacturer duly obliged in 1968, upping capacity to 743cc and further boosting maximum power (to 65bhp) by fitting a quartet of Dell'Orto carburettors to the revised 750S, a high-speed symphony in red, white, and blue. Perhaps surprisingly for a sports model, the 750S retained the 4C's shaft final drive, while the frame too was virtually identical to that of its predecessor.

Hand made in limited numbers and priced accordingly, the 750S was way beyond the financial reach of the average enthusiast. Marque specialist Mick Walker got to try a mint, low mileage example in 1983, recording the event in his book 'MV Agusta Fours': 'The experience was unique; the rider was transported to a different level, and made to feel really special. There was certainly a pronounced "feel-good factor".'

Although no lightweight - it weighed nearly as much as a Kawasaki Z1 - the 750S gave little away in outright performance terms to such larger machinery, thanks, no doubt, to its engine's Grand Prix heritage.

Production of the 'first series' MV 750S continued through 1973 with the 'second series' starting in 1974, though with numerous technical and aesthetic changes made batch by batch. In total, only 402 MV Agusta 750S models were produced up to the end of production in 1975.

Built in late 1972 to 1973 specification, this 750S displays a believed-genuine total of only 7,892 miles on the odometer and is presented in beautiful condition. The current vendor purchased the MV at Bonhams' Las Vegas auction in January 2016 (Lot 161) since when it has been kept on display and not used.