LOT 496
1969 Ducati 450 MkIII Desmo Registration no. EPV 129H Frame no. DM450S*460038* Engine no. DM450 450292
Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000
Lot 496
1969 Ducati 450 MkIII DesmoRegistration no. EPV 129H Frame no. DM450S*460038* Engine no. DM450 450292
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
1969 Ducati 450 MkIII Desmo
Registration no. EPV 129H
Frame no. DM450S*460038*
Engine no. DM450 450292
Registration no. EPV 129H
Frame no. DM450S*460038*
Engine no. DM450 450292
• Ultra-rare 450 with twin filler tank
• Believed mainly original and unrestored
• Featured in 'Ducati Scrambler, Desmo & Mark 3' book
In the late 1940s Ducati began to produce the Cucciolo engine designed by Aldo Farinelli and manufactured for SIATA. The Cucciolo was a clip-on engine used on bicycles and catered to the desperate desire for transport in the post-war aftermath. Eventually Ducati capitalised on their production of the little motor, and manufactured a complete motorcycle powered by a Cucciolo engine. This first machine appeared in 1950, and thereafter they followed a similar path to other Italian motorcycle manufacturers, producing small capacity, economical and inexpensive machines for a transport-hungry public.
In 1954 they hired designer Fabio Taglioni, and it is no coincidence that from that point Ducati creations were more sporting-oriented. Unsurprisingly, Ducati's involvement with racing began soon after Taglioni's arrival, and started with a 98cc overhead camshaft engine. Later, for racing, came the double overhead cam engine with desmodromic valve operation, which was to become a feature of many future Ducatis. Triumphant in its first Grand Prix outing, the 'desmo' was here to stay. The road singles of the 1950s and 60s continued in 100, 125, 175 and 200 capacities, whilst smaller machines were given over to two stroke engines. Capacities of the four stroke singles grew to 250, 350 and eventually 450 throughout the sixties, with road, sports and street scrambler versions and desmodromic valve operation eventually appearing on the road bikes from 1968 onward.
The vendor acquired EPV 129H in 2013 from Made in Italy Motorcycles, who had imported it from Italy. The machine had featured in Massimo Clarke's book 'Ducati Scrambler, Desmo and Mark 3' (copy of the book included) as an original example of the model (examination of the photographs reveals the same small 'nick' in the offside of the seat cover). This particular model, with the twin-filler petrol tank, and vintage styling, is so rare that many mar que histories fail to mention it. The owner was impressed by the bike's originality, believing much of the paintwork to be original, and has not recovered the seat, thinking the cover to be the original, in spite of the fact that the foam interior has degraded, he intended, at some point, to have it sympathetically renovated with its existing cover. He has not used it on the road, but it has been started at regular intervals until recently and kept in dry storage. Only modest re-commissioning and basic safety checks should be required prior to use on the road with a new owner. Documentation comprises the current V5C, an expired MoT certificate, a valuation certificate, and a photocopy maintenance manual, together with the aforementioned Massimo Clarke book.
• Believed mainly original and unrestored
• Featured in 'Ducati Scrambler, Desmo & Mark 3' book
In the late 1940s Ducati began to produce the Cucciolo engine designed by Aldo Farinelli and manufactured for SIATA. The Cucciolo was a clip-on engine used on bicycles and catered to the desperate desire for transport in the post-war aftermath. Eventually Ducati capitalised on their production of the little motor, and manufactured a complete motorcycle powered by a Cucciolo engine. This first machine appeared in 1950, and thereafter they followed a similar path to other Italian motorcycle manufacturers, producing small capacity, economical and inexpensive machines for a transport-hungry public.
In 1954 they hired designer Fabio Taglioni, and it is no coincidence that from that point Ducati creations were more sporting-oriented. Unsurprisingly, Ducati's involvement with racing began soon after Taglioni's arrival, and started with a 98cc overhead camshaft engine. Later, for racing, came the double overhead cam engine with desmodromic valve operation, which was to become a feature of many future Ducatis. Triumphant in its first Grand Prix outing, the 'desmo' was here to stay. The road singles of the 1950s and 60s continued in 100, 125, 175 and 200 capacities, whilst smaller machines were given over to two stroke engines. Capacities of the four stroke singles grew to 250, 350 and eventually 450 throughout the sixties, with road, sports and street scrambler versions and desmodromic valve operation eventually appearing on the road bikes from 1968 onward.
The vendor acquired EPV 129H in 2013 from Made in Italy Motorcycles, who had imported it from Italy. The machine had featured in Massimo Clarke's book 'Ducati Scrambler, Desmo and Mark 3' (copy of the book included) as an original example of the model (examination of the photographs reveals the same small 'nick' in the offside of the seat cover). This particular model, with the twin-filler petrol tank, and vintage styling, is so rare that many mar que histories fail to mention it. The owner was impressed by the bike's originality, believing much of the paintwork to be original, and has not recovered the seat, thinking the cover to be the original, in spite of the fact that the foam interior has degraded, he intended, at some point, to have it sympathetically renovated with its existing cover. He has not used it on the road, but it has been started at regular intervals until recently and kept in dry storage. Only modest re-commissioning and basic safety checks should be required prior to use on the road with a new owner. Documentation comprises the current V5C, an expired MoT certificate, a valuation certificate, and a photocopy maintenance manual, together with the aforementioned Massimo Clarke book.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness, and originality prior to bidding.
Additional information
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