1976 MV AGUSTA 750 AMERICA
SOLD — $98,000
“The performance figures for the 750s America we’re only only surpassed by the two-stroke bikes of the 1970’s, and then even not by much more than a whisker”
How rare is it? What is disputed is just how many 750 Americas were made in the two years, 1975 and 1976. What is without dispute is that this example, with its low mileage, original paint and humbling patina, is very rare.
BIKE'S HISTORY
—By Tim Parker
With less than 6,000 miles on the odometer, the bike is hardly broken in.
The 750 America, a development of the 750 S produced from 1970 into 1975 for a total of 556 units, was the model set to conquer the American market. Ambitious goals – there was talk in 1974 of MV selling 4,000-4,500 bikes in 1975 in the US alone – were set after lengthy talks between MV and “the US duo Chris Garville and Jim Cotherman”, the former of the Commerce Overseas Corporation (already a small MV importer) and the latter an Illinois dealer who had bought a few bikes from MV direct. With full encouragement from a hungry MV, they talked about a “Made for America” 750 that could be sold in much larger numbers. MV soon got to work. The 750 America was the result.
1976 MV AGUSTA 750 AMERICA DETAILS
VIN MV750 2210454
5,991 miles
Air cooled, in-line 4-cylinder
Coated “race” exhaust
32mm Dell’Orto carburetors
Tank signed by Giacomo Agostini
Borrani aluminum rims
The original 26mm carbs included
Air boxes included
Original paint full fairing
Two different stock “street” exhaust systems
Spare intake cam (a performance upgrade if installed in place of the stock exhaust cam)
Original points that came with the bike
Extra oil filters
NOS handlebar switch gear
MV workshop manual
Cycle magazine “tested” the first America in its May 1975 issue…editor the late Phil Schilling ordered one for himself!
Soon after deliveries began.
Last purchased about 10 years ago by the seller from Jeff Elghanayan – he “ended up with the MV race shop when they stopped racing in the late 1970s.” — little is known of the first 30 years of this bike other than that it retains its original paint – with Giacomo Agostini’s signature still on the tank.
At some point the bike was upgraded with 32mm Dell'Orto carburetors and a genuine 4-into-4 race exhaust coated black. The original 26mm carburetors and air boxes, together with a original paint, factory full fairing (albeit missing its factory decals), are included in the sale of the bike. The front turn signals are removed for the fairing to be installed. Two different stock “street” exhaust systems, a spare intake cam (a performance upgrade if installed in place of the stock exhaust cam), a spare set of NOS clutch plates, the original points that came with the bike, some extra oil filters, NOS handlebar switch gear, some brake parts, an MV workshop manual, all come with the bike, too.
With less than 6,000 miles on the odometer, the bike is hardly broken in. How rare is it? What is disputed is just how many 750 Americas were made in the two years, 1975 and 1976. Lost in posterity is the factory claim that 540 left the production line. While far from being impossible, that number does seem unlikely. (There’s a “well published” photograph of the warehouse at the factory with 105 completed Americas waiting to be shipped.) Certainly not “all of the 540” came to the USA…there’s a strong rumor that only 200 came to these shores and another 50 were assembled from spares by the Agusta helicopter factory once proper production had stopped. Certainly the rest of the world received the America.
What is without dispute is that this example, with its low mileage, original paint and humbling patina, is very rare.
Similarly, with or without the full fairing, the bike is as handsome as any of its rivals – Ducati’s 900 SS, Laverda’s 1000 and Moto Guzzi’s 850 Le Mans, but three examples – and suitably fettled, a rival on the street with a neat balance of looks, performance and sound.
PHOTOS BY: JAMES TYLER REED
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY, SELL, OR TRADE A SPECIFIC
DUCATI, MV AUGUSTA, LAVERDA, MOTO GUZZI
DISCLAIMER
Every single bike I buy and sell, I personally go through—not someone else. I am the owner operator of my small business, and I take what I do very seriously. I work on the bikes, I ride the bikes.
If you are serious about buying a true collector piece from someone who not only has a passion for these bikes, but works on them, rides them, and collects them then call me. Jokingly people say to me, “these bikes don’t seem so rare as there are so many in your shop” well... I consider myself a custodian for these machines, they should go to people who will love, and appreciate them.