The Big Question in the classic motorcycle auction world right now is: are we about to see a multi-million dollar motorcycle sale?
One of only eight 750cc Ducati Imola Desmos ever built is coming up for auction with California’s Gooding & Company. The auction is online over the period from Wednesday 8 May to Friday 17 May.
Gooding’s current estimate is $650,000 to $750,000 but some feel that’s just a hook to get as many possible buyers interested as possible. Of the eight racers built, only seven are known to still exist. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most historically significant motorcycles.
“As one of the most original of eight Imola racers built, this Ducati is one of the very best of this rare breed,” said Angus Dykman, Specialist for Gooding & Company.
Imola 200: Defining Moment
“The 1972 Imola 200 was not only a defining moment in motorcycle history, but for Ducati as a company. The technical achievements developed for the eight specially-produced Imola racers propelled Ducati to the forefront of international competition for years to come, and desmodromic valves are still used in the company’s highest performance models to this day.
“This incredible example has spent nearly thirty years in the consignor’s loving care and is accompanied by remarkable archival photos, fascinating documentation and a report by marque expert Ian Falloon.”
For nearly a century, the Ducati name has been synonymous with cutting-edge technical innovation, world-class performance, and stunning design. And although it achieved competition success with its smaller displacement models, it was not until the early 1970s that Ducati decided to take on the dominant pairing of Giacomo Agostini and MV Agusta in motorcycle racing’s premier Formula 750 class.
Led by its legendary engineer Fabio Taglioni, the firm prepared eight all-new, highly advanced 750cc racers for the 1972 Imola 200 race, known as the ‘Daytona of Europe’.
Ducati’s Glass-sided Transporter
Ducati proudly arrived at Imola with seven of the racers in a specially designed glass-sided transporter, causing widespread excitement and anticipation among the motorcycle world at large.
In a tremendous upset, Ducati riders Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari took 1st and 2nd place, respectively, on the new bikes, ushering in a new era of international success for Ducati.
The Imola race bikes featured notable innovations, including the first use of desmodromic valve actuation on a vee-twin engine, allowing extreme high rpm performance. The motorcycles also boasted strong sandcast engine cases, lightweight billet connecting rods and cranks, and an asymmetrical exhaust setup, among countless other features detailed in the accompanying report by marque expert Ian Falloon.
After its victory, Ducati sent some of the bikes around the world to promote the brand. The 1972 Ducati 750 Imola Desmo on offer here was sent to South Africa in 1973, where it was campaigned by Errol James at the South African TT at the Roy Hesketh Circuit.
It was eventually retired to static storage at Vetsak, the official Ducati Importer in Johannesburg, where it was purchased by motorcycle enthusiast and political correspondent John D’Oliveira in 1976. In 1995, the D’Oliveira family shipped the motorcycle to the US, where it was purchased by its current owner, a lifelong car and motorcycle journalist for numerous top publications.
Maintained, run and displayed
Since then, this bike has been carefully maintained by the consignor, and run periodically.
It has also been the subject of numerous articles and a beautifully produced short film, in addition to being exhibited at some of the most prestigious global events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® and The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, where it won First in Class and received a FIVA Preservation Award for its remarkable original condition. It was also displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where it headlined the Silver Shotgun exhibit.
Among the seven purpose-built Imola racers known to survive, Ian Falloon notes that this Ducati retains its original frame and sandcast crankcases along with the majority of its original silver metallic flake gelcoat finish, which is rare for a racing bike from this era.
Additional lots for Geared Online | Motorcycles
- Ex-Chris Garville 1975 MV Agusta 750 S America (Estimate: $80,000 – $100,000) restored by legendary specialist Perry Bushong. Additionally, its tank comes signed by multiple MV Agusta World Champion winner John Surtees
- Low-mileage unrestored 1981 Ducati 900 Super Sport (Estimate: $40,000 – $80,000, Without Reserve). One of only 713 European-specification examples built for the 1981 model year. Showing just 8,133 km
- Rare US-specification 1974 Laverda 750 SFC (Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000) expertly restored by marque specialist Scott Potter. One of just 100 US-specification 1974 examples
- 1934 Moto Guzzi GTS 500 (Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000, Without Reserve) with advanced adjustable suspension
- 1967 BMW R60/2 (Estimate: $24,000 – $28,000, Without Reserve). Finished in traditional Avus Black with white pinstriping and a period-correct Steiger seat, matching-numbers
- 1966 Triumph Bonneville T120 (Estimate: $15,000 – $30,000, Without Reserve) presented in the classic color scheme of white with orange stripes
Honda collection:
- 1969 Honda Sandcast CB750 (Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000, Without Reserve). Honda’s first ever four-cylinder production bike, this desirable, early CB750 comes fitted with a Sandcast crankcase, and was beautifully restored by marque expert Scott Williams.
- 1962 Honda CB92 Super Sport (Estimate: $18,000 – $24,000, Without Reserve) fitted with a rare and desirable racing kit; a time-capsule
- 1978 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing (Estimate: $16,000 – $20,000, Without Reserve) showing less than 3,000 miles
- 1957 Honda Dream ME-250 (Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000, Without Reserve). Japanese domestic example.
Motorcycle Automobilia
A variety of motorcycle-themed automobilia, including posters and artwork, round out the online auction, including an Aiglon Vole Poster by Bernard Lacy, c. 1927 (Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000, Without Reserve), a R.A.M.C.H. Poster, c. 1930s (Estimate: $1,200 – $1,400, Without Reserve), and a Ducati 750 Racing at Imola Poster (Estimate: $900 – $1,200, Without Reserve).
Auction details
Gooding & Company Geared Online | Motorcycles Online Catalogue Available: Monday, 29 April. Auction Begins: Wednesday, 8 May at 9:00 AM PDT Lots Begin Closing: Friday, 17 May at 9:00 AM PDT. Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register
