Beschreibung:

After the launch of its first production four-stroke - a 175cc, overhead-camshaft, unitary construction single - MV followed up in 1954 with the similar - although overhead-valve - Gran Turismo 125. The latter was superseded in 1955 by the Turismo Rapido, which featured a revise rear subframe and a dual-seat in place of its predecessor's sprung saddle. Like their larger siblings, the small MVs were very expensive - at around £200 the Turismo Rapido cost as much as a British 500 - which explains why so few of these the exquisitely engineered little bikes were sold in the UK. The Turismo Rapido remained in production until 1958 and underwent a number of developments, with the fully tubular frame of the early bikes giving way to a box-section rear frame in 1955. The Turismo Rapido was available in a range of colours but normally finished in black with a red fuel tank. Various different sub-models were produced by MV, including the Rapido Sport from 1956, the Extra and Lusso from 1958 with additional equipment and the America with revised fork design and different tank shape. This unrestored MV Agusta was discovered in Italy by the current owner and imported into Australia for his collection several years ago. Finished in the classic black/red colour combination, the 125 was dated to 1956 on the vehicle import papers. The motorcycle would make a straightforward restoration project or could be left unrestored as a display piece.