Got a note the other day from a reader in New Zealand, Richard Gray, who wanted to share some information about the MV Agusta 350 Vetturetta. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but it’s not a motorcycle, it’s a motorcycle engine powered car, a very little car, built back in the early 1950s for MV Agusta.
The body was designed and built like a little airplane fuselage and the canopy carries the aero idea even further. Power came from a rear mounted OHV 350cc flat-twin producing 30 horsepower. The transmission had 4 speeds and reverse. There were two seats side by side.
Like other little cars of the era it was crude compared to anything someone might build today, but it’s interesting to see these early efforts.
You may remember a couple of other interesting automotive projects by motorcycle companies, like Kawasaki and Yamaha, that didn’t work out so well, either, so MV Agusta still earns points for making an attempt.
Richard included an article with more details about the Vetturetta written for one of the local NZ car clubs and it’s linked below.
MV Agusta 350 Vetturetta Article
See also: Motorcycle Powered Cars
DWolvin says
Aww! Looks like a hoot to drive…
Louis Higgins says
Sitting under that greenhouse would be like sitting in an oven, I would imagine.
Paul Crowe says
You may be right. I’m not sure about the ventilation options, but the top bubble does come off leaving just the windshield for an open air configuration, sorta like an open cockpit airplane, so there’s that.