ITALIAN MOTOR magazine: October 2014

Thursday, 30 October 2014

Magni Filo Rosso

The Filo Rosso, or the Red Line, is the symbolic thread that has always run through Magni's work, starting with his learning from Piero Remor in the early 1950s, to being the all-round inspiration behind MV Agusta's multiple world championships, and then going on with son Giovanni to create hand-built machines with individuality, handling prowess and charisma.

This one is no different. Ok, so it looks like an MV race bike you may say. Yes, but that's not a bad thing, is it? And this one is powered by the MV Agusta Brutale's rev-happy 798cc triple cylinder motor that needs a 13.000rpm red line.

Not often we want to just jump on a bike we've been sent pics of and just ride the bollocks off it, but this is one of those occasions. Bravo, Magni!

Friday, 24 October 2014

Taming the Ducati Cucciolo

In Issue 6 of the mag, we published a great article that was contributed by Dave our mate from Australia all about his Ducati Cucciolos. Dave has since sent us a video clip that gives the impression of what it's like to ride one of these machines at speed - and it's a bit scary. Ignore the sketchy soundtrack and imagine what it's like to sit on an old pushbike, with pushbike brakes and tyres, and a small Italian motor lashed onto the frame tube, and go as fast as you can. In fact, we reckon the wind noise is covering up Dave's screams of terror as he bowls along at an impressive turn of speed considering he's a big Aussie bloke!

The full article on Dave's passion for the Ducati Cucciolo and in particular its fascinating place as a sales success in Australia is in Issue Six. Not got a copy? Buy it here: http://italianmotor.bigcartel.com/category/magazines

Sunday, 5 October 2014

Bicester Heritage Sunday Scramble

What an idea! Buy up a historic but mothballed RAF base, then turn it into a motoring heritage destination for cars, bikes and planes - brilliant! We're lucky that ITALIAN MOTOR H.Q. seems to be close to so many fascinating and excellent places and events of petrolhead pleasure, and today was great - old planes mixing it with Ford Capris, Yank cars, old bikes, historic and important Bentleys, Porsches, and Jags, old blokes dressed as Home Guard, steam engines, old biplanes, engines, bacon rolls, and other very pleasurable stuff. The RAF architecture is fascinating and the before and after restorations of the countless sheds, hangars and engine fitting rooms are incredible and beautiful. Even the toilet blocks are retro! The owners should be congratulated on their vision, and it's easy to see that it'll become a premier motoring destination in the UK.

Today will be just the first of many visits for us, no doubt. In fact, we'd love to set up H.Q. here too.

Enjoy the photos of just a small selection of what was there this morning.