MV Agusta produced a number of successful lightweight, eighth-liter, two-stroke models in the post WW2 era, but it was in 1954 that the company decided to develop a 125cc four-stroke model to appease a market that’d become increasingly interested in performance oriented four-strokers. Starting that year, the company introduced the Turismo Rapido 125, also known as the TR.
The Turismo Rapido was offered in a variety of different specs, including the TRL, and a higher-performing Sport-spec that came with lower handlebars and reportedly made 1.5hp more than the standard model. The TR came with a relatively large fuel-cell and boasted hydraulic suspenders fore and aft. The little runner also came equipped with an 18mm Dell’Orto carb and a flywheel magneto ignition. The TR was built around an air-cooled, 123.6cc, four-stroke, two-valve, pushrod, single married to a four-speed gearbox and a wet multiplate clutch. The base model TR weighed in dry at 225lbs, made 6.5hp at 6,000rpm, featured a double cradle tubular steel frame, and was supposedly capable of speeds of around 60mph. Compared to the competition coming from the far northwest of Europe in the 1950s, the TR was a pretty cutting edge model. Supposedly, 40,000 units of the eighth-liter MV were produced from 54 through ‘58 — a surprisingly large number of which have survived.
This particular TR specimen (VIN: 622587) still wears its original factory paint and boasts some awesome patina. The rims, spokes, and exhaust have all been replaced, and the seat has been reupholstered, but aside from said parts this example remains largely original despite having left the factory more than six decades ago. According to the seller this ’56 TR runs well, fires up easily, and “everything works, brakes, lights, etc”.
Based on this Turismo Rapido’s age, manufacturer, and mechanical condition, its price seems very reasonable. This one can definitely use some cosmetic attention, though the price reflects that. You can find this 1956 MV Agusta Turismo Rapido for sale here on Craigslist in Prescott, Arizona with a price of $3,200.