1975 MV Agusta
750 Sport America

The MV Agusta 750 Sport America was one of the most exotic superbikes of its day. With it's ultra high price tag and racing pedigree it screamed exclusivity. Sadly, it was also one of the last models produced by the famous marque.

MV Agusta had its roots in the closing days of World War II where the venerable Italian aviation firm Agusta found itself in dire straits. Demand for aircraft was virtually nonexistent and Italy’s economy was in tatters. The founder's son, Count Domenico Agusta, realized the firm would have to diversify its interests to survive.

In 1943 work began on a 98cc two-stroke engine that would ultimately power the first MV Agusta motorcycle. By 1945 Meccanica Verghera Agusta was established as an independent motorcycle manufacturer. Initially the firm produced lightweight two-stroke machines that helped war-weary Europeans get back on the road. These small machines soon found their way into competition and began winning races.

Realizing the publicity value of these early victories, Count Agusta established a factory racing program. Under the guidance of Arturo Magni, MV Agusta became a force in international roadracing for nearly two decades. Not only did the firm produce some of the most competitive racing machinery of the ‘50s, ‘60s and early ‘70s, they signed some of the best racers of the day–riders like John Surtees, Phil Read, Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini.

It was not until the mid-1960’s that the firm began to offer large-displacement motorcycles for the street like the ones that were winning on the track. The 1966 600 four utilized the basic engine design of MV's Quattro Cilindri 500cc Grand Prix racer, but was packaged as a touring machine. The  racy 750 Sport was introduced in 1970 in response to the demand for a more sports-oriented bike.

Developed from the 750 Sport, the 750 Sport America was the last of the firm’s large displacement four cylinder machines. As its name suggests, the America was designed specifically for the U.S. market, where MV hoped to find buyers willing to pay a premium for the MV Agusta pedigree.

The Sport America retained the shaft drive and unusual belt-driven starter/generator of the original 600cc four, but was bored out to nearly 800cc. Features such as a suede seat and stylish tail section were added to appeal to the upscale American market.

Gas tank decal celebrates MV Agusta's 37 World Championships.

Despite its outlandish price of $6,000–at a time when $1,825 bought a new Kawasaki Mach IV, the finish of the 750 America was hardly first class. Like many Italian bikes of the day, MV’s workmanship was not on par with its design. The elegant sand-cast crankcases and sculpted fuel tank contrasted sharply with sub-par paintwork and crooked decals.

The 750 Sport America failed to attract the clientele for which it was designed and very few were sold. To make matters worse, the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971 and the shift towards large-displacement two-strokes in roadracing spelled the end of MV Agusta's dominance on the track. The factory pulled out of international racing for good in 1976 and ceased selling motorcycles in 1980. Agusta remained in the aircraft business and make helicopters today.

The rights to the MV Agusta name were purchased in 1992 by Cagiva. The marque was revived in 1997 with the introduction of the all-new F4-750.

The 1975 750 Sport America pictured here was on loan from the vintage vehicle collection of Don Marsh. The bike was part of the Dawn of the Superbike exhibit, which ran from Dec. 1, 2000-July 15, 2001 in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.