1953 MV Agusta MT-150 "Motore Lungo"
No Reserve - Possibly unique, unrestored works racer in single ownership until 2017

Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: 11137
MOT: Exempt

• The only known example of a 150cc Motore Lungo
• Owned by a Pisa MV Agusta dealer until 2017 and never restored
• Both the frame and chassis numbers indicate a works racer
• Never publicly shown or offered on the open market

• The Road and Race Collection

MV Agusta is one of the most famous names in motorcycle history having won 270 Grand Prix races, 38 World Riders' Championships and 37 World Constructors' Championships with riders such as Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, and John Surtees. The son of an Italian aviation pioneer, Count Domenico Agusta recognised the need for cheap postwar transport and introduced his first motorcycle, a 98cc two-stroke, in 1946. By 1950, a stable of racing motorcycles had been prepared, and their successes were almost immediate. Between 1937 and 1956, the Milan-Taranto was one of Italy’s most important motorcycle road races. The four-speed 125 Motore Lungo or Carter Lungo (Long Crankcase) was so-called for obvious reasons, stemming from the magneto being housed inside the crankcase. Raced through 1951 and 1952, it achieved victories in the Milan-Taranto both years.

Where to begin with this fascinating machine? It may be a Motore Lungo, but the engine is of 148cc. Registered new as an MT-150 (MT for Milano-Taranto), there are no other known survivors. Certification from the MV Registro Storico, on which this bike is number 473, says: “Official works motorcycle that was also sold to private racers. The chassis/engine serial numbers are those of MV works racers. Derived from the 1951 125 Motore Lungo. Used in speed, regularity and endurance races from 1953.”

Built in 1953 and registered ‘24749-PI’ in Pisa in 1954, this machine is all-original and unrestored and, fascinatingly, was with its first owner until 2017. Aldo Barsotti was an MV Agusta dealer at Via Garofani 10, Pisa, and the MV Register says he raced it. It retains his patinated transfer reading “Barsotti Motofficina.” In 2017, an enthusiast in Spoleto handled the sale of the MT-150 to the present owner for his collection of important historic motorcycles. The engine was running, though it was not fully roadworthy. Now available for recommissioning and further preservation, this wonderful machine has never been publicly shown or offered before on the open market. Please note that the bike has not been registered with the D.V.L.A. and import duties may be payable upon registration. The history file includes extensive correspondence, the Certificate of Enrolment from the MV Historic Register, a copy of the original Pisa registration certificate, and assorted souvenirs of Signor Barsotti’s business, including some his personal 1950s copies of the Motitalia paper, and a 1967 letter concerning repairs to a customer’s MV Agusta Liberty.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217