Update: Bidding went to $73,700, reserve was not met
The story behind the MV 750 America
The MV 750 Sport was the most expensive Italian sporting motorcycle of the early 1970s. It was a true masterpiece in red, white, and blue. The ‘America’ edition of the 750S took things further, introducing more power and a striking design for a street-legal GP bike. Today, it stands as one of the pinnacles of MV motorcycling design and history
More power combined with Italian design
The story behind the introduction of this new edition is as follows: A 750S America prototype was readied less than two months after Chris Garville and MV retailer, racer, and tuner Jim Cotherman traveled to Varese, Italy, in 1974. There, he successfully lobbied MV management to evolve the existing 750S into a limited-edition luxury sport bike tailored for the American market with more power, angular styling that borrowed from MV’s contemporary race bikes, and features that met US-market requirements such as a left-side shifter, turn signals, and air filters.
One of 200
This impeccably restored 1975 MV Agusta 750S America is one of 200 produced during the model’s first year of production and numerically was the 1st to be delivered outside of the MV Agusta family, with frame numbers 001-008 reportedly going to company VIPs in Europe, marque racing legend Giacomo Agostini among them.
Frame # 009
This example, frame #009, was delivered new to MV Agusta’s sole US importer, Commerce Overseas Corporation of Elmsford, New York, where it served as a test loaner for motorcycle magazines including Cycle, Big Bike, Motor Cycle World, and was later employed in a display capacity at various exhibitions and trade shows.
History of ownership
The bike remained in the care of the Commerce Overseas Corporation and company owner Chris Garville until 1984, when ownership was transferred to his brother in California. The bike changed hands again in 1990 and later underwent a two-year refurbishment by famed restorer and MV Agusta dealer, Perry Bushong, that was completed in November 2016. The bike was acquired by the seller in March 2022, at which time maintenance work included lubricating the clutch and brake cables, bleeding the brake lines, and changing the oil.
This 750S America is now offered with owner’s and workshop manuals, parts lists, special tools, shipping and ownership records, marketing brochures, copies of publications in which the bike appeared, refurbishment records, removed and spare parts, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
Second ever MV Agusta America to hit BAT
Details
- 3 ownerships from new, expert-level restoration undertaken by famed restorer Perry Bushong
- Used by the sole MV Agusta US importer as a test loaner for motorcycle magazines including Cycle, Big Bike, and Motor Cycle World in addition to being showcased at various exhibitions and trade shows
- Acquired by the seller in March 2022
- Recent maintenance work included lubricating the clutch and brake cables, bleeding the brake lines, and changing the oil
- 789cc DOHC inline-four
- Five-speed transmission
- Black suede seat
- Clip-on handlebars
- Rear-set foot controls
- Borrani alloy rims
- Scarab front disc brakes
- Ceriani fork
- Adjustable Sebac shocks
- Aluminum cylinder head and cylinders
- (4) Dell’Orto VHB carburetors
- Four-into-four Kay’s Engineering exhaust system
Included in the sale…
Additions: special tools, owner’s and workshop manuals, parts lists, shipping and ownership records, marketing brochures, copies of publications in which the bike appeared, refurbishment records, and a yellow-on-blue California ‘750 MV’ license plate
Spares: chrome exhaust system, stock black mufflers, headpipe nuts, a pair of shocks, a fuel tank strap and buffer, a rear taillight and license plate holder, rearsets, a side stand, a stock air box, an engine breather tube, a front fender and brake disc, brake and clutch levers, brake and clutch cables, ignition wires, oil filters, and various gaskets
Autographed by John Surtees
In addition to silver side stripes and brand badging, the fuel tank is adorned with the 37–star graphic emblematic of the marque’s 37 world championships as well as the clear-coated signature of the late F1 and Grand Prix racer John Surtees, who rode MV Agustas to World Championships in 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1960.
A photo showing Surtees signing the tank at the 1994 BMW Battle Of The Legends event in Daytona, Florida, can be viewed in the gallery.
