According to legend the first example of the 500cc MV Agusta 3 cylinder was created in the paddock during practise for the 1966 Dutch TT at Assen when a set of cylinders from the 350cc 3 cylinder were bored out to 55mm resulting in a capacity of 377cc. Agostini went on to secure second place at the event, riding the faithful four cylinder 500cc and secured a win at the following months Belgian Gran Prix at Spa with the four; however by the time of the East German Grand Prix on the 17th July Ago was mounted on a 497.9cc three cylinder machine, which he subsequently used for the rest of the season. The East German event did not result in a top three placing, although Ago did secure the fastest lap setting a speed of 107.77 mph. This was followed by a second place finish behind his arch rival Mike Hailwood on the Honda at Czechoslovak Grand Prix, a win at the Finnish Grand Prix, second place finishes at the Ulster Grand Prix and on the Island and a win in Italy giving a points tally of 36, sufficient to win the Championship ahead of Hailwood and the Honda.
The new machine had clearly proved its worth, combining the manoeuvrability of the 350 three with which it shared a chassis with a power output that was on a par with the four cylinder it replaced.
1967 saw Agostini retaining the 500 title despite fierce competition from Mike Hailwood and the Honda, with Ago winning the West German, Belgian, East German, Finnish and Italian Grand Prix's to tie the Championship with Hailwood on 46 points, however, his higher number of wins, 5 versus 4, and second places finishes at the Dutch, Czech and Canadian Grand Prix's resulted in the title staying with the MV rider.
Courtesy H&H Classic Auctions
