Today in motorcycle history, January 6, 2008

  

  

  

  The MV Agusta as Art exhibit closes.  Leaving new-found fans searching Craig's List across America for vintage MVA's.  

  Transportation meets art in The Motorcycle, Italian Style: Riding the Curves with MV Agusta, at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Stamford, Connecticut, closes on January 6 after a highly successful 3 month run.
   This vintage motorcycle exhibition traces MV Agusta from its World War II inception to modern day.  More than 30 bikes, most from the Classic era (1945-1980), were on display.

   Between 1948 and 1976 MV Agusta won over 3000 races and an astounding 63 World Championships overall.  In the 500cc Class alone they would win the World Championship in 1956 and then from 1958 to 1974.  With legendary riders John Surtees, Gary Hocking, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini (on an MV Three) and Phil Read, all aboard the fire-engine red machines.

  With the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971, the company lost its guiding force.  The works won their last Grand Prix in 1976 and by the 1980 Grand Prix season they were out of racing.  Sadly, shortly thereafter they would cease production until being resurrected by Cagiva in 1991.