1978 MV Agusta 832cc Monza

1978 MV Agusta 832cc Monza
Registration no. VDT 178S
Frame no. 2210550
Engine no. 212-0446
• Exclusive, last-of-the-line, limited edition model
• First owned by Dave Kay
• Magni exhausts and Eiger footrests

The limited edition MV Agusta Monza offered here represents the culmination of the legendary Italian factory's range of four-cylinder superbikes. Developed from its long line of highly successful multi-cylinder racers, MV Agusta's first road-going four - a twin-carburettor, 600cc tourer - appeared in 1965. But the public demanded something more exciting from many-times World Champions MV, and the Gallarate manufacturer duly obliged in 1969, upping capacity to 743cc and further boosting maximum power (to 69bhp) by fitting a quartet of Dell'Orto carburettors to the revised 750GT. Equipped with shaft rather than chain final drive, the latter arguably was more of a tourer than an out-and-out sports bike. Not that many people got to find out for themselves, for the MV was hand made in limited numbers and priced accordingly.

Also in the line-up was the more sporting 750S. Its replacement - the 750S America - was introduced for 1976. Bored out to 789cc, the America produced a claimed 75bhp, an output sufficient to propel the Italian sports roadster to 100mph in around 13 seconds and on to a top speed of 135mph. The next stage of development was the Monza. A stretched (to 832cc) version of the 750S America, the Monza had started life as the 'Boxer' until complaints from Ferrari (whose sports car had prior claim to the name) forced a change. Cast-alloy wheels, triple Brembo disc brakes, and a fairing - all optional on the 750S America - usually came as standard on the Monza.

Motor Cycle magazine's John Nutting wrung 144mph out of a Monza, making it the fastest production machine in the world at that time. It was also the most expensive, costing almost twice as much as a comparable Japanese superbike. The Monza though, would prove to be short-lived and relatively few were made; by 1977 MV's motorcycle division was in administrative receivership and production ceased at the end of the following year.

One of the last MVs to leave the Gallarate factory, 'VDT 178S' was first registered on 1st July 1978 and 13 days later was registered to its first private owner, well-known MV specialist, Dave Kay. Two further owners are known: Anthony Poulter, who followed Dave Kay, and Andrew Vaughan, who acquired the MV from Mr Poulter in July 2011. Photographs on file show the MV in its original 'Monza' livery, with former World Champion Giacomo Agostini sitting on it in one of the shots. Additional documentation consists of the original purchase agreement, Kay correspondence, three MoTs (most recent expired July 2010), copy old V5C and part latest V5C Registration Certificates. A rare opportunity.