Iconic MV Agusta Grand Prix bike sells for nearly £1 million at UK auction

Believed to have been raced by one, or two of the most successful Grand Prix racers of all time, this ex-works 1965 MV Agusta has fetched £967,000 at the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale. 

Full details about the bike’s racing history are not available, however, the listing from Bonhams says “it must have been raced by either Mike Hailwood or Giacomo Agostini or possibly both of those riders over the course of the 1965 season”.

The bike is also relevant to another motorcycle racing legend, as it was bought directly from MV Agusta by John Surtees in 1986. 

It was then used by Surtees as part of parades and demonstrations throughout Europe, and also in New Zealand, before being sold in 2005. It did not change ownership prior to being made available for auction on Saturday, 25 April.

Described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to own one of the rarest Grand Prix bikes still available from MV Agusta, this bike was hugely successful in 1965 as Hailwood prevailed over team-mate Agostini.

The British rider secured the 500cc title with eight wins that season, which ended up being his last title win in the category. The 500cc championship was then dominated by Agostini after that, with the Italian winning the next seven consecutive titles. 

The ex-works 1965 MV Agusta was not the only motorcycle that reeled in a huge figure at the weekend, although it did comfortably smash past its estimate of £160,000-£220,000. 

Another machine that blew well past its guide price was the ex-Barry Sheene 1977 Suzuki RG500, which Sheene won the 500cc Grand Prix title with that same year.

Estimated at £160,000-£200,000, the Suzuki RG500 XR14 ultimately sold for £506,000. It is one of only two factory bikes that Sheene used in his 1977 title defence, and the very machine he rode across the line in the final round to seal his second and final 500cc crown.

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