Somewhere in Spain - Almost a year ago we brought you the story of a 1974 Laverda 3C that had been found, not only brand new but still sealed in the crate in which it had been delivered, 42 years earlier, from the factory to Slater Brothers in Bromyard, Worcestershire, then the UK distributor for Laverda motorcycles.
It was bought at auction by a Laverda enthusiast for an eye-watering €19 000 (then R275 000), about double the market value for a 3C of that vintage in as-new condition. The new owner then unleashed a heated debate among the anoraks on social media by opting to uncrate the bike, replace the tyres and oil seals, assemble it and run it.
What made it so special, of course, was that it had never been assembled or started, so his investment instantly halved in value - but there were an equal number of Laverdisti who maintained that these classic muscle-bikes, no matter how rare or valuable, were built to be ridden, and that it would only deteriorate further if left as it was.
Luckily for us, the owner took the trouble to document the process on video, as he fettled and polished the bike until it was as clean and shiny as when it was crated up, more than four decades ago. The video also includes some footage of him riding the bike on quiet country roads near his home, and ends with no soundtrack other than that of the bike itself, as the owner rides out of shot on the world’s last brand-new Laverda 3C.
Let us know on Twitter or Facebook whether you agree with his point of view that he bought the bike to ride, or believe that it should have been left in the crate.
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