1974 MV Agusta 750S

• Iconic Italian superbike
• First UK registered in 2015
• Present ownership since 2015
36,501 kilometres recorded
• Offered from a significant private collection

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 the late 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. Testing a 750S in 1975, Bike magazine found the motor very powerful: "Surprisingly it also has great reserves of torque and pulls happily from four thousand. It's probably the most powerful 750cc motor made; in a straight drag with a Z1 it lost only a few yards up to 100mph." Bike rated the 750S as "one of the most dramatic-looking bikes made, the real stuff of legend". Few would disagree.

A superb example of MV Agusta's iconic 750S, this machine has correct factory numbers throughout, as confirmed by dating letters from the Old Italian Bike Register (21st July 2015) and the MV Owners Club UK's Dorian Skinner (26th July 2015). Factory records show it was built on 4th July 1974 and originally sold via consignment number '183905' to Garage Meyer in Losanna (Lucerne), Switzerland on 9th July 1974.

According to the Dorian Skinner's letter, this MV 750S presents beautifully, is not over-restored, and retains that elusive MV-original feel. Original features such as the rear footrests remain in place, and only a few minor, possibly non-original or replacement parts, are apparent. Mr Skinner notes that, as is typical of 1974 models, factory specifications varied significantly during this period of transition, making this bike possibly unique and all the more desirable.

First registered in the UK on 1st July 2015 and purchased by the current vendor from Made in Italy Motorcycles 10 days later, the MV has been a cherished part of his important private collection ever since. Accompanying documentation includes the following: an old MoT issued 22nd July 2015; a specification sheet; the 2015 purchase invoice; and a V5C Registration Certificate.
Offered with key