1957 MV Augusta 125cc 'Turismo Rapido Lusso' Motorcycle

Description

Meccanica Verghera (MV) can trace its roots back to 1945, when the first two-wheeled machine to bear its brand appeared. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer quickly expanded its model range to include more sporting machines and established a reputation for building race winning bikes. MV’s new four-stroke 125cc single and 500cc four-cylinder machines of 1950 really put the brand on the map, the latter machine giving Les Graham and John Surtees world titles. Following that success, the new 125cc motorcycle – which was supposed to replace its two-stroke models – saw a simplified version of the four-stroke engine developed, with pushrods operating the valves. 1954’s new 125cc model came in two versions: the Turismo Rapido (6.5 hp) and Rapido Sport (7.5 hp). Each shared a chassis similar to the 175cc models (although the first units used a fully tubular frame, it was soon replaced by the same mixed design as the 175 CST), though a radical improvement appeared on the Rapido Sport, with the adoption of a hydraulically-damped telescopic fork. Maximum speed was said to be 90 km/h. The Turismo Rapido was usually painted black with a red fuel tank. MV’s range of road bikes continued to expand through the 1960s as one of the few Italian manufacturers rising to the challenge of the Japanese through diversification. Following the death of Count Domenico Agusta in the early 1970s, MV foundered but was saved by the Castiglione family, and today any MV is considered collectible.