Only 41 miles from new, 1978 MV Agusta 750S America

Only 41 miles from new
1978 MV Agusta 750S America
Registration no. not UK registered
Frame no. 2210124
Engine no. 2210124
• Imported from the USA
• Present ownership since January 2016
• Exceptional condition

Developed from its long line of highly successful multi-cylinder racers, MV Agusta's first road-going four - 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.

In 1976 the 750S was replaced by the 750S America. 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. Production of the 750S America ceased in February 1979. Bike rated the 750S as, 'one of the most dramatic-looking bikes made, the real stuff of legend.' Few would disagree.

The original owner purchased this 750S America from Cosmopolitan Motors in Hatsboro, Pennsylvania in the summer of 1978, shipped it still in the crate to his home in Southern California, took it out of the crate, and rode it for 41 miles (the current odometer reading, believed genuine). He then placed it in museum-quality storage, from which it was removed by the immediately preceding owner in the autumn of 2015. The current vendor purchased the machine at Bonhams' Las Vegas sale in January 2016 (Lot 101). Still in 'showroom' condition, this exceptional 750S America is worthy of the closest inspection. Offered with State of California Certificate of Title.