Ex-Arturo Magni, 1975 MV Agusta 125 Sport Prototype

Registration no. KAU 232N Frame no. 660422 Engine no. 21802064

• Pre-production prototype for MV's final 125 Sport
• Unique aluminium alloy tank made by Primo Filotti

Having commenced motorcycle production in 1945, MV Agusta introduced its first 125cc production roadster - the Gran Turismo - in 1954 with single-cylinder overhead-valve engine, a format MV's 125s would retain until the end of production in 1977/78. Completely redesigned for 1975, emerging as the beautiful 125 Sport, the engine featured an alloy barrel and electronic ignition to produce 14bhp at 8,500rpm, and a top speed of around 75mph.

But the machine offered here isn't just any MV Agusta 125 Sport, it is the pre-production prototype used for the sales leaflets and differs in many ways to the production run. The frame is unique, the unique aluminium alloy tank was made by Primo Filotti – who made the factory racers' bodywork - with a Monza cap. The side panels are steel with 4 louvers versus plastic 5 louvers items on production bikes.
More unique features were acquired during its remarkable early ownership. The bike was passed to MV race team director Arturo Magni for his youngest son Giovanni to use, registered in Varese in 1975. The bike was fitted with 18" EPM wheels, twin front discs, Brembo rear calliper, Magni competition exhaust pipe, and bored out to what is believed to be 155cc.

The bike was owned by Giovanni until 1981 when it was sold to Emiliano Bezzon, later to be Giovanni's brother-in law. The bike was purchased by the vendor in 1987 whilst attending Giovanni's wedding. Looking for a bike for his son to use he spotted the 125 in the Magni factory. Agreeing to the sale, Arturo typed up and signed a statement confirming of the origins of the bike.

Once in the UK the Sport was used as daily transport by the vendor's son. When no longer required the bike was renovated to the match its original look on the sales leaflet look, bar the decision to keep the EPM wheels and competition exhaust as an homage to its link to Magni.

Since renovation in the early 1990s the bike has remained part of an important collection of Italian motorcycles, featuring in the July 1995 issue of Classic Bike magazine.

This bike has a verifiable history over 45 years, very much one of a kind, being not only the original prototype for MV's final 125 Sport, but also possibly the only Magni 125 Sport built. Included in the sale are copies of the sales leaflet, the statement signed by Arturo Magni, receipt of purchase from Emiliano Bezzon, various Italian licence documents showing ownership by Giovanni Magni and Emiliano Bezzon, UK import document, V5 and old MOT certificate.