Ex-Charlie Sanby, 1974 and 1975 Isle of Man TT; offered from the estate of the late Alain de Cadenet, 1974 Ducati 750SS

This Ducati 750SS was raced in period by the late Charlie Sanby. Known as the 'Lord of Lydden', following his win in the inaugural race of that name at the eponymous Kent circuit in 1966 (he won the title again in 1967), Charlie Sanby was one of the foremost road-racing stars of the 1960s and 1970s.

Sanby was already a regular race-winner when an offer came along to ride a Norton Commando for the Gus Kuhn team in 1969. Managed by Vincent Davey, South London-based Norton agent Gus Kuhn Motors was one of the most prominent teams in Formula 750 racing in the late 1960s and early '70s, supplying, among others, Mick Andrew, Charlie Sanby, and Dave Potter with machines. In Sanby's hands the Kuhn Commando proved good enough to beat Peter Williams' works Norton on several occasions in 1971. Charlie had also shared a works Commando with Williams to win the 1970 Thruxton 500 endurance race. In 1971 he finished 3rd in the British Championship; 2nd in the Formula 750; and 3rd in the Superbike Championship. Although he never won a TT, Sanby came very close in the 1971 Production race when, leading the works Triumphs with ease on his Kuhn Commando, he was sidelined when a 10p battery terminal broke.

Moving on, Charlie raced Suzukis for the Hi-Tac team in 1972 and 1973. When Hi-Tac folded at the end of 1973, the self-employed Sanby lost access to their workshop facilities and went to work for Bryants of Biggleswade as a mechanic. Bryants bought a new Ducati 750SS and an ex-Boyer Triumph Trident for Charlie to ride. In the 1974 Ise of Man Production TT Charlie finished 12th and last on the Ducati due to a badly earthed condenser, and retired from the Formula 750 race when 1st gear broke. Partnered by Dave Mason, he rode the 750SS in the 1975 Isle of Man Production TT, finishing in 20th place. At the end of 1975 the Ducati was replaced by an ex-works Suzuki 500 twin, and registered for the road on 29th February 1976. According the HPI report, the late Alain De Cadenet was the registered keeper of the 750SS on 9th May 1997.

The ex-Sanby Ducati was stored in a sealed container that was involved in a fire. While it appears that the flames did not directly touch the machine, it would have been exposed to considerable heat. That said, the tyres were still holding air when the machine was removed from the container and the engine also turned over with compression. Bonhams makes no guarantees regarding the structural integrity, safety, or internal condition of this motorcycle, which is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should also note that the motorcycle retains a strong odour consistent with smoke exposure, which may cause a reaction for some individuals.

Unfortunately, there is no accompanying paperwork or registration document (it would appear that any documentation stored with the machine did not survive). However, the Ducati does appear on both the HPI and DVLA databases. Accordingly, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the validity of the Vehicle Registration Number and are responsible for applying for a new V5C registration certificate. The HPI report states only two former keepers. Marque authority Ian Falloon has confirmed that this is the ex-Sanby machine, and that it is recorded as such in his register; it is also pictured in his book, The Ducati Story. An exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a genuine Ducati 'Green Frame' project with confirmed TT provenance.
Offered without key