The Robert Lusk Motorcycle Collection, 1970 MV Agusta 4C Tourer 'Black Pig'

• One of only 135 made
• Imported in 1985
• Previously Part of The Robert White Collection
• MV Agusta Owners Club of Great Britain dating letter and extract of factory record on file

'By building a version of his fabulous dohc racing four engine into a touring frame, Count Agusta has created a unique, weird and wonderful collector's dream.' - Cycle magazine.

Developed from MV Agusta's long line of successful multi-cylinder racers, the first road-going four - a twin-carburettor, 592cc tourer - appeared in 1965 at the Milan Show. With its touring cycle parts, shaft drive, and unappealing styling - more Japanese than European - the new MV 4C was not what enthusiasts expected from a marque with its roots deep in motorcycle racing. Nevertheless, MV's ugly duckling was an advanced design for its day, boasting an electric starter and twin front disc brakes, the latter a mechanical design by Campagnolo. And there was no denying that its engine looked gorgeous.

Production proper commenced in the summer of 1967, with the price in the USA set at $2,889. (When it went on sale a year or so later, Honda's 750cc four cost less than $1,500). Not surprisingly, customers were few, and only 135 examples of MV's first four-cylinder roadster had found customers before production ceased a few years later. Bowing to public demand for something more exciting from MV, the Gallarate marque duly obliged in 1969, upping capacity to 743cc and further boosting maximum power by fitting a quartet of Dell'Orto carburettors to the revised 750GT tourer and sporting 750S.

The machine offered here is believed to be an original and un-restored example of this exceedingly rare model. An accompanying MV Agusta Owners Club of Great Britain dating letter confirms it was manufactured in January 1970 and dispatched to a dealership in Rome; a photocopy of the factory record is also on file.

Imported to the UK in 1985 by noted collector Cledwyn Cooper, it was subsequently acquired by the well-known MV enthusiast Michael Hull before passing to the late Robert White. White rode it on the Isle of Man, and when sold as part of his celebrated collection in 2016 the odometer displayed just 6,320 kilometres. The Bonhams sale of Robert's collection achieved an outstanding £3 million, the proceeds of which were used to build The Robert White Centre for cancer treatment at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.

Purchased at that sale by Robert Lusk, the MV was registered in the UK in 2017 and prepared for road use. Documentation includes expired MoT certificates, C&E Form 386, the aforementioned dating letter, and a V5C. Rare, evocative, and appearing remarkably original, this MV 4C Tourer offers collectors a unique opportunity to acquire one of the rarest four-cylinder machines from Italy's most illustrious marque.

Prospective buyers should please note that whilst Robert actively started and maintained his collection, all machines are offered as requiring recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent.
Offered with key