1965 MV Agusta Sella 150cc Project

Registration no. JWE 418C
Frame no. 21002 233
Engine no. 709881

"The revised Italian Highway Code, introduced in 1959, brought the 150 back into fashion, as it forbade access to the motorway system to vehicles with cylinder capacities of less than 150 cm3. The MV 150 (which had an effective capacity of 150.1 cm3, and was therefore allowed to travel on motorways) was very similar in appearance to the 125 cm3 Centomila..." - Colombo & Patrignani, MV Agusta.

After the launch of its first production four-stroke - a 175cc, overhead-camshaft, unitary construction single - MV followed up in 1954 with the similar, although overhead-valve, Gran Turismo 125. Similar models in other capacities followed, the first 150cc offerings appearing in 1959. Gran Turismo (GT), Rapido Sport (RS) and Rapido Sport America (RSA) versions were produced. Like their larger siblings, the small MVs were very expensive, costing as much as a British 500, which explains why so few of these the exquisitely engineered little bikes were sold in the UK.

In addition to the models listed above, the '150' range also included the Spanish-built Sella, which was one of many MVs manufactured under license in that country, firstly by MV Alpha from 1948 and then by MV Avelló from 1951. MV later became a partner in the latter enterprise, and the badge on the fuel tank changed from 'Avelló' to 'Agusta'. The partnership lasted until the early 1970s when MV discontinued their lightweight models to concentrate on larger roadsters.

The vendor bought this Sella through an advertisement in Spain in 2019. It came with the original registration (matriculation) documents, which were used to support the NOVA and UK registration applications. The MV was first registered in the UK in January 2021. The original Spanish license plate is in the accompanying box of old spare parts.

In order to transport the MV to the UK in his Land Rover, the vendor had to dismantle the bike. Once it was in the UK he had the barrel repaired (broken fins) and replaced the broken gear selector shaft with a part sourced from Italy. He then had the engine and crankcases polished; had the carburettor cleaned; and rebuilt the engine with new gaskets. The seat was re-covered in red, as per the Italian design, and the machine repainted from blue to red/cream. The wheels were stripped, polished and re-spoked by Alf Hagon, and new tyres fitted. The old exhaust had a hole in it and was replaced with a new original Italian twin-silencer system. This is as far as the restoration progressed and the machine is offered as a dismantled project, sold strictly as seen. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's originality, mechanical condition and completeness (or otherwise) prior to bidding.

Accompanying documentation includes sundry restoration invoices; a V5C Registration Certificate; an HPI report; and the aforementioned Spanish registration papers. It should be noted that the V5C/HPI records the colour as Black/Blue. Being classed as 'Historic', the machine does not require an MoT.

No Keys Present