1973 MV AGUSTA ELECTRONICA STREET SCRAMBLER
Auction Sale Estimate: $10000 - $15000

DIRT FASHION Although better known for their extreme performance multi-cylinder machines, MV Agusta also built a range of very stylish single cylinder sports bikes throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s that often crossed the line. The Street Scrambler was such a machine. At a time when dirt-bike racing was starting to gain traction with seriously focused design that really did create a new genre of racing (refer Lot 89 and 94), MV Agusta took the essence of the dirt bike’s purpose and apparently turned it into a fashion statement. Worse still, MV had no real intention of giving the international market a look in. The Street Scrambler was designed solely for the Italian urbanite who needed a ride to navigate the 200-year-old roads that Italian cities had to offer. In this sense, the MV Agusta Street Scrambler was 40 years ahead of its time. This is not to say, however, that it was a trailer queen. Far from it. The 350cc powerplant had racetrack pedigree and was certainly not for the fainthearted as it delivered the pilot a high-revving 155kph machine. The striking colour scheme and overall styling were things that only the Italians could have justified at the time. However, in hindsight, one must acknowledge them for their pure inventiveness and individualism, the MV Street Scrambler reeks of personality and intense authorship. These characteristics can be sadly missing in today’s corporate bike scene. Finished to the highest standard, this example is period correct.

Image and text courtesy Webbs Auction House NZ

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