MV Agusta Since 1945 Birth, death and resurrection: the story of one of the World’s most famous motorcycle marques

With 75 World Championships (riders and manufacturers), 270 Grand Prix victories, and more than 3000 International race wins, MV Agusta’s competition record is unequalled amongst Italian motorcycle manufacturers. MV’s list of World Champions includes some of the greatest names in the sport, with Carlo Ubbiali, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read claiming victory multiple times. Alongside the magnificent racing bikes, MV produced a wide range of street models, including the exotic four-cylinder bikes based on the Grand Prix racers of the 1950s and early 1960s. After closing in 1977, MV Agusta was resurrected by Cagiva in 1997, and released the Massimo Tamburini-designed four-cylinder F4. Initially 750cc, this evolved into 1000cc and the Brutale series. In 2012 the three-cylinder F3 joined the F4, and a large range of models has grown from these two platforms. With a 50-year passion for Italian motorcycles, Ian Falloon tells the full and fascinating story of MV Agusta, covering all the street and racing models from 1945 to the present day.