MV Agusta buys back 70-year-old race bike

MV Agusta buys rare 175cc race bike at an auction

The MV Agusta motorcycle brand from Italy is one of the rare few with racing heritage that dates back up to 70 years.

Many say its heyday in racing was during the 1950s to the 1960s. The brand produced many motorcycles that became racing champions, starting with Cecil Standford’s MV 125 that brought home 1952’s Isle of Man Tourist Trophy world championship.

Despite the glory some of these machines brought to the brand, many examples of these historic machines simply weren't taken care of, with some either scrapped or completely forgotten.

There is one, however, that was saved. By bidding at online auction site, Catawiki, MV Agusta was able to acquire what is believed to be the only remaining example of a CSS 175 race bike.

The CSS 175 is a 175cc motorcycle produced by MV Agusta in 1954. Only 500 units were ever made, making it one of the rarest MV Agusta motorcycles.

“We’re all very excited; this extraordinary motorcycle is returning home, where it was born over 70 years ago! A wonderful first project for our new department, in which we will now be able to restore precious vintage motorcycles to their original condition here in the factory, through the patient and passionate work of the heirs of the craftsmen who built them,” said MV Agusta CEO, Timur Sardarov.

Though 175cc when new, this particular bike was bored up to 204cc. Despite the modification, most of the original parts have been preserved, such as the dual TT Amal carburetors, Avon “Green Spot” tires, Smiths race tachometer, and the beautiful megaphone exhaust.

It reportedly belonged to Stanley Hailwood, father of “Mike the Bike” Hailwood, who is a legend of motorcycling, 9-time world champion, and one of the most revered MV Agusta riders in its history. It was purchased from Hailwood in 1958 by British rider, Chris Newport.