Within the world of speed, there are few who can surpass the feat of Giacomo Agostini at the controls of the MV Agusta 500GP three-cylinder, with no less than seven consecutive world titles. An almost perfect symbiosis that called into question the technological capacity of its most direct rivals between 1966 and 1973, especially the always competitive Honda Racing.
MV Agusta 500GP in detail
Throughout Agostini’s long career within the MV Augusta sports structure, there was a constant evolution of the motorcycle that would eventually win seven 500 cc world titles. Although initially the MV Agusta 500GP was an evolution of the “three and a half” version with which the Italian driver also competed, the displacement would later be raised to the maximum allowed in the half-liter category.
This would be from the 1967 season, a year after “Ago”’s first championship title. That is why the 1965 copy that Bonhams will soon auction on the occasion of the “VStafford Spring Ent“belongs to the first batch of the model. In that season, Agostini was signed as the second driver of the official team with Mike Hailwood as its star star.
In parallel, the Brescia driver participated in the 350 world championship, making his debut at the Nürburgring and achieving the final victory. “with a two-minute advantage over his teammate Hailwood, who was driving the old 350 four-cylinder racing car”. At the end of that same season, Mike would sign for Honda and Giacomo would become the undisputed king of both categories.
Now it is possible to get hold of that MV Agusta 500GP that both piloted during the 1965 championship, with the chassis and engine number 1,109. With a power greater than 80 hp for a weight of just 118 kilosthis was capable of reaching speeds greater than 260km/h. Regarding its cycle part, it equipped elements that today might seem crazy to us, taking into account the performance of the motorcycle.
A good example is the 18″ radial type wheels. A central drum brake system measuring 240 mm at the front and 230 mm at the rear was anchored to them. The suspensions were not much more advanced at the time. Proof of this are both the conventional front fork and the pair of lateral shock absorbers that this MV Agusta 500GP mounts at the rear.
All equipment adhered to a tubular steel chassis that in turn linked to a conventional double-arm swingarm. With a final maximum value estimate of around 250,000 eurosit will not be easy or cheap to own this piece of history in the racing world.
In any case, if there is any brave soul who has a large checking account, you can consult all the details by clicking on this link.
