Auction Preview – Artcurial’s MV Agusta Collection

In Auctions by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

On February 9th, Artcurial will be auctioning off a collection comprised of over 90 unique MV Agusta machines. While the bulk of the sale is made up of motorcycles and scooters from throughout the famed Italian marque’s history, there are also a number of lesser orthodox MV offerings crossing the block including a handful of mini bikes, a go kart, three-wheeled contraptions, and even a piece of MV-powered farm equipment. Here are 12 of Tim’s favorites!

1. 1974 500 4C Corsa Static Replica
Here we have the full-size version of what inspired the mini above — or at least a stellar replica of one. When people think of MV Agusta and racing, these are the machines that spring to mind, and for good reason. Not only are they absolutely gorgeous, but also for a time these were the machines to beat on the race track. MV racked up win and win after with on these 500cc racers, forever cementing the outfit’s place in motorsport history. Interestingly this particular replica example features a “non-functional motor without moving parts”. On the bright side, this thing was reportedly built by a former factory technician.

Despite it being a static replica, this 1974 500 4C Corsa Replica — which will be sold without a reserve — is expected to bring in between $91,500 and $137,300 (or €80K to €120K). You can click here for more info.

2. 1969 250 Scrambler
As scrambler-style models became increasingly popular in the US, various marques in Europe began “scrambling” to cash in on the American craze — one of which was MV who experimented with a myriad of scrambled models. This particular quarter-liter twin-powered MV scrambler boasted raised bars, a single-person saddle, high-mounted scrambler-style exhaust, headlight guard, and crankcase protection. According to Artcurial, only 52 examples of the MV 250 Scrambler were produced, making this original, unrestored example something special.

This 1969 250 Scrambler — which is being sold without reserve — is expected to take in between $9,150 to $16,000 (or €8K to €14K). You can click here for more info.

3. 1976 Mini Bambino Bike
Before reviewing this auction’s lots, I was unaware MV ever produced any mini bikes but boy was I wrong. Turns out the Varese firm has built a handful of micro-displacement, mini-wheeled, mini bikes — several of which will be going under the hammer on the 8th. My favorite of the auction’s minis is this ’76 Bambino. Inspired by MV’s half-liter four-cylinder racers, this mini is powered by a Franco Morini power plant that sports a centrifugal clutch. Supposedly the legendary Phil Read initially built one of these minis for his son, which is how MV got the ball rolling on this project, though I’ve been unable to verify that. Either way this is a seriously fun little bike that any youngster would be thrilled to throw a leg over. There’s also an equally rad mini F4 prototype built by Massimo Tamburini that’ll be crossing the auction block alongside this Bambino.

This awesome little bambino bike is being offered with no reserve and is anticipated to bring in between $2,300 and $3,450 (or €2K to €3K). You can click here for more info.

4. 350 Bialbero Prototype
MV Agusta famously experimented with a handful of “Bialbero” – or “dual camshaft — machines. While MV churned out a decent number of some of these DOHC bikes, others never got past the prototyping stage. This proto-example is powered by an engine from a 350 Sport fed via a pair of 30mm Dell’Orto carbs and exhaling via a pair of MV’s (Magni’s?) classic sweeping race pipes. Other highlights on this racer include Ceriani suspenders, Fontana brakes, and the marque’s signature tank. Though Artcurial fails to specify what year this protobike left the factory (or when the project began or anything like that), the bike’s appearance definitely narrows it down quite a bit.

This Bialbero prototype is expected to yield between $68,650 and $114,400 (or €60K to €100K). You can click here for more info.

5. 1959 Air Force 250 Raid
This military moto was produced by MV in hopes of obtaining a lucrative government contract with the Italian Air Force, though in the end Moto Guzzi won the bid. Known as the “250 Raid”, this late ‘50s model was propelled by a 14hp (at 5,600rpm) air-cooled, 250cc, single paired with a four-speed gearbox. Features unique to the Raid include a Japanese tach — this example has less than 2,000 miles on it – dual saddles replacing the normal one-piece two-up unit, and the classic all-olive-drab livery.

This military MV is being sold with no reserve and is estimated to take in between $11,450 and $22,900 (or €10K to €20K). You can click here for more info.

6. 1966 235 Tevere Callesino Taxi by Ariasi
This charming 1966 example was built atop one of MV’s Tevere 235 machines by Ariasi of Mandello Del Lario in Northern Italy. The handmade coachwork boasts upholstered bench-seating, wooden frame and bodywork, and in place of the scoot’s saddle is another matching bench-seat unit. There’s also a stubby little fuel-cell, a hand-operated reverse-gear lever on the right-hand side, an electric starter, hydraulic brakes, and a nifty little, period-correct, Italian “taximeter”. I personally really dig seeing a Vespa-style front-end with a top-tank-style fuel-cell in front of a straight up bench of a seat. Those “green-wall” tires are pretty nifty too.

This 1966 235 Tevere Callesino Taxi by Ariasi is being offered sans reservation and is expected to generate between $22,900 and $34,325 (or €20K to €30K). You can click here for more info.

7. 1974 750cc Sidecar Racer
This three-wheeled racer was most likely built by Guy Bongiovanni, who served as the primary importer and dealer for MV in France’s Lyon region. At the heart of the racer is a 750cc engine in a custom-built chassis. At the attack end is an Earles fork shrouded in slippery competition bodywork. This specimen’s three-quarter-liter mill received a thorough refresh from local MV specialist, Peppino Minervi, while its bodywork was given a once over and repainted by De Marchi workshops. Though it isn’t exactly a “classic” MV racer, I think this example is more than worthy of making the shortlist.

This ’74 sidecar racer is being sold without reserve and is expected to fetch between $97,250 and $143,000 (or €85K to €125K). You can click here for more info.

8. 1954 175 Magnetic Regency
This fascinating mid-century MV is supposedly based on the 175 CST and built by an MV dealer in Asti. The machine was given a high-mounted, scrambler-style single pipe, wide handlebars, lightweight mudguard, tankbag (with map window), engine protection, number plates, red leather saddle, and off-road suspension. This bike also received a magneto to allow for a battery delete. It was supposedly bought from a dealership some 20 years ago before being restored a decade later. This yellow-clad scrambler is being sold with an official certificate from the MV Museum too.

This 1954 175 Magnetic Regency is being sold without reserve and is expected to generate somewhere between $8,000 and $13,750 (or €7K to €12K). You can click here for more info.

9. 1960 250 Bicilindrica Bialbero
This quarter-liter “Bicilindrica Bialbero” — or “bi (two) cylinder DOHC” — racer is the culmination of a decade-long project. Powering the racer is a rare two-cylinder unit first supposedly used in 1950 on the Cascina Costa. The 1960 two-wheeler is wearing an aluminum dustbin fairing that was made using the original plans from Primo Felotti — the guy who built MV’s fairings when the 250 Bicilindrica Bialbero was produced.

This 1960 250 Bicilindrica Bialbero is being offered with no reserve and is expected to fetch between $103,000 to $148,750 (or €90K to €130K). You can click here for more info.

10. 1951 C Gran Turismo Scooter
Though MV is no longer known for its scooters, like the majority of Italian marques operating in post WW2 Europe it did for a time offer a wide range of utilitarian small-wheeled scooters. Evolved from the Popolare, the CGT — reportedly short for “C Gran Turismo” – featured a 5 hp engine with a four-speed gearbox capable of achieving 50mph. Supposedly MV sold some 4,500 units before the model was phased out and replaced by the Ovunque. After being restored roughly a-decade-ago — including a new coat of the CGT’s awesome yellow paint with blue accents — this example has sat static as a display piece.

This stylish, yellow, little ’51 CGT Scooter is being offered without reserve and is expected to garner between $4,575 to $9,150 (€4K to €8K). You can click here for more info.

11. 1975 750 Turbo Prototype
Cooked up at the Varese factory in the mid-‘70s, this space-age forced-induction prototype sadly never saw production, though it’s nonetheless a wildly cool bike. Powered by a tuned and dual turbo-charged 750cc engine (one blower for high RPM, the other for low). According to MV, the proto was capable of putting down 150hp and a top-speed of 186mph – not bad for 1975. Adorning the massaged mill is a set of rocket-inspired bodywork that included an aviation-style cockpit.

This blown MV protobike is expected to fetch between $160,000 to $250,000 (or €140k to €220K). Click here for more info.

12. Ex Jordi Torres 2018 F4 RC Factory WSBK Racer
Only a year old, this example lacks the rich history that the majority of the lots possess; this is the current pinnacle of performance from MV Agusta. Campaigned in the 2018 World Superbike series by Jordi Torres, this exact factory specimen nabbed its best finish at Imola where it crossed the line behind the pair of Ducatis and Kawasakis that dominated the 2018 season. This 2018 F4 RC Factory racer features full carbon fiber race bodywork, Valtermoto bars, folding machined levers, full titanium exhaust from SC Project, Magneti Marelli electronics packages, and of course a factory-prepped and tuned 1,000cc four-cylinder engine that’s said to be good for more than 220hp.

This ex-Torres competition mount is expected to bring in between $85,000 and $143,000 (or €75K to €125K). Click here for more info.

To see all 93 lots you can click here, or you can check out the E-Catalogue here.