Book Review
“MV Agusta since 1945” Birth, death and resurrection: The story of one of the world’s most famous motorcycle marques
Author: Ian Falloon
Published by: Veloce Publishing Ltd, Veloce House, Parkway Farm Business Park, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3AR Tel: 01305 260068
Email: sales@veloce.co.uk Hardback, 305 x 250mm (portrait); 288 pages with 726 photographs and illustrations.
ISBN 978-1-787113-59-6 UPC 6-36847-01359-2 £90 (UK); $101 USD; £139 CAD; $161 AUD
This edition is limited to 500 copies.
Born in Palermo in 1879, to a wealthy aristocratic Sicilian family, Giovanni Agusta was a pioneering flyer, who as early as 1907 built and flew his first biplane, the AG1.
In 1923, Giovanni Agusta moved his thriving aircraft manufacturing and repair company to the tiny village of Cascina Costa di Verghera, near Milan. Cascina Costa would also become the home of MV (Meccanica Verghera) Agusta motorcycles after the Second World War.
Tragically, in 1927, at the age of only 48, Giovanni died. The business passed to his wife and their four sons. The eldest son, Count Domenico, was only 21 years old, but immediately exhibited a natural commercial and entrepreneurial flair that would see him control the Agusta empire until his death in 1971.
MV Agusta’s history has been interrupted. Established in 1945 by Count Domenico Agusta as an adjunct to his aviation operation, over the next 25 years Domenico controlled every aspect of the company. This not only included the comprehensive racing programme, but also a wide variety of production models, these ranged in capacity from 50 to 750cc – which are all described and pictured in this fabulous, limited edition book. Because the Count was extremely protective, and had many racing bikes destroyed after each season, a lot of mystery surrounded the technical specification of the racing machines.
After Domenico’s death, the company passed to the EFIM concern before closing in 1977 and the subsequent resurrection by Cagiva in 1997.
Now celebrating 75 years of motorcycle production, MV Agusta is one of the most eminent of all motorcycle marques. Its record of 75 world championships (38 riders and 37 manufacturers) between 1952 and 1974, and a total of
270 Grand Prix victories place it only behind Honda and Yamaha in overall success.
Considering MV withdrew from Grand Prix racing at the end of the 1976 season, this record is even more astounding. But while MV is mostly known for Grand Prix success in the Premier 500cc class through its great riders (Agostini, Hailwood, Hocking, Read and Surtees), it was also extremely successful in the smaller classes. The 125, 250 and 350cc Grand Prix machines were as sophisticated as the larger fours and triples, and just as successful.
A fabulous treasure trove of atmospheric pictures (500cc six anyone?), plus a specification, is included of all production MV Agustas from 1945 to 2022.