Key points about MV Agusta’s 98 engine and its significance:
- Post-war Italy: The 98 engine was developed during the tumultuous post-war period in Italy, where the country was devastated, and industrial production was severely impacted.
- Shift in Business: With the end of aeroplane production due to the war’s outcome, MV Agusta needed to find new business opportunities. Cars were considered but deemed unaffordable for the majority of Italians.
- Emergence of Motorcycles: Motorcycles emerged as a more affordable option, representing a promising emerging market for MV Agusta.
- Development of the 98 Engine: In August 1943, MV Agusta finalized the design of the 98cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine, aiming for simplicity, affordability, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
- Production Halt: German troops occupied the Agusta factory in September 1943, putting a stop to production. The engine designs and models were hidden by trusted technicians and engineers to protect them from theft.
More key points
- Resumption of Production: Several months later, the designs were retrieved, and production of the 98 engine resumed.
- Birth of MV 98: One year after the engine’s completion, the first MV-branded motorcycle, the MV 98, was born.
- Success and Legacy: The 98cc engine became the foundation for MV Agusta’s success, leading to a glorious history of passion, success, performance, and style in motorcycle manufacturing.
- Made in Italy Excellence: MV Agusta’s motorcycles, driven by the 98 engine and subsequent models, carried the genuine Made in Italy craftsmanship to the top of the world and gained global recognition.
- Symbol of Passion: The 98cc displacement was enough to ignite a passion for MV Agusta motorcycles among enthusiasts who shared a love for design, mechanics, and beauty.
Crucial Role
MV Agusta’s 98 engine played a crucial role in the company’s history and success. The engine was conceived during the difficult post-war period in Italy when the country was devastated and industrial production was severely affected. With the end of aeroplane production due to the war’s outcome, the Agusta company needed to find new avenues for business.
Count Domenico Agusta
Count Domenico Agusta, who had taken over the company in 1927 after his father’s death, considered producing cars. However, due to the economic hardships faced by millions of Italians, cars were deemed a luxury item beyond the reach of most people. Motorcycles, on the other hand, offered a more affordable option, making them a promising emerging market for the company.
In August 1943, the 98cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine was ready for mass production. The engine was designed to be simple, cheap, reliable, and easy to maintain, making large-scale production feasible. Unfortunately, German troops occupied the Agusta factory in September 1943, halting production.
Protection of designs
To protect the designs and models of the 98 engines from theft by the occupying army, the engineers and technicians hid them in their homes and basements. Several months later, around the middle of the following year, the designs were retrieved, and production resumed. Finally, one year after the engine’s initial completion, the first MV-branded motorcycle, the MV 98, was born.
98cc
This 98cc engine marked the beginning of MV Agusta’s journey, leading to a tale of passion, success, performance, and style. Over the course of 80 years, MV Agusta’s genuine Made in Italy motorcycles achieved global recognition, creating masterpieces that appealed to enthusiasts who shared a passion for design, mechanics, and beauty.
The 98 engine’s modest displacement of just 98cc proved to be enough to ignite a passion that drove MV Agusta to the pinnacle of the motorcycle industry, cementing its place as a symbol of Italian excellence in motorcycle manufacturing.
Conclusion
The 98 engine was a simple, but effective design that helped to launch MV Agusta into the world of motorcycle manufacturing. It was the start of a long and storied history that has seen MV Agusta produce some of the most iconic and successful motorcycles ever made. The 98 engine may be small in displacement, but it has a big heart and a legacy that will continue to inspire riders for many years to come.
