MV Agusta’s origins date to 1923 when Count Giovanni Agusta founded his eponymous helicopter company. After WWII, Agusta retooled his factory and decided to produce motorbikes as a means of continuing to employ its workforce. He named his new company MV Agusta – “M” for Meccanica (Mechanical) and “V” for Verghera, which was the town where the first bikes were made.

The first MV Agusta motorcycle only had a 98 cc engine, but it performed very well, and soon the company dominated Grand Prix racing, including an astonishing 17 back-to-back world championship races in the 500 cc premier class. MV Agustas were piloted by some of the most legendary riders of all time, like John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, and Giacomo Agostini.

In 1952, the company introduced its single overhead camshaft, 175 cc model and, in various configurations, the lightweight 175 became both a racing and sales success. Models fitted with the distinctive larger tank, such as this example, are referred to as the “Flying Saucer,” or “Disco Volante.” When viewed from above, the voluptuous profile of its large fuel tank looked like something from another world.

This particular Disco Volante is a gorgeous restored example that was imported from Italy in 2017 by Miami-based collector Leo Schigiel, joining his impressive stable of Italian motorcycles. Eligible for the MotoGiro and equally suited to concours display, this is a wonderful example of MV’s iconic mid-century design masterpiece.

*Please note that this vehicle has been in long-term static storage and may require mechanical attention prior to road use.