Description
This motorcycle is Lot 232 * N to be auctioned by Bonhams at The Autumn Stafford Sale (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show) on October 10th – 11th, please see the Bonhams Motorcycles Website for full details. Auction Timings: Lots 201 - 407 are to be sold from 11AM local time on Sunday 11th October 2026. Public Viewing: Available 10th & 11th October 2026 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Staffordshire County Showground (The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show). Lot 232 1976 Ducati 750SS Registration no. not UK registered Frame no. DM750SS* 076027* Engine no. 075881 DM750. 1 This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter. If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable. It was, without question, Paul Smart's famous victory at Imola in April 1972 that really put Ducati's new v-twin on the map. It was a particularly sweet occasion for hitherto un-fancied Ducati, as the Bologna factory defeated not only the race-proven Triumph Tridents of Percy Tait, John Cooper and Ray Pickrell, but also the works 750 MV Agusta of Giacomo Agostini. With such an outstanding pedigree, the 750SS was a natural choice for racing's Superbike category, and later on proved highly competitive in AMA 'Battle of the Twins' (BOTT) and club Super Street racing in the 1980s. Smart's bike was based on the 750 Sport roadster introduced that same year. The racer's cycle parts remained close to stock - even the centre stand lugs were retained! - merely being up-rated with triple Lockheed disc brakes while the engine gained desmodromic cylinder heads, high-compression pistons and stronger ***-rods. When the definitive production version - the 750SS - appeared in 1974 it differed little in overall conception from the Imola '72 bikes, among the most obvious external differences being the adoption of a centre-axle fork and Brembo front brakes. The big 'Imola' fuel tank and humped racing seat both featured on the road bike, which wore a cockpit faring rather than the racer's fuller streamlining. The 750SS received rave reviews in the motorcycling press, being hailed by Cycle magazine as "a bike that stands at the farthest reaches of the sporting world - the definitive factory-built café racer". Only 401 'round-case' Ducati 750SS production models were manufactured by the Ducati factory between January and March 1974, and all were finished in the iconic colour scheme of a green frame with silver tank and bodywork. Today the 750SS - and particularly the original round-case version - is regarded as a true landmark model and is one of the most sought-after of all Ducati's. The 1976 Ducati 750SS is generally regarded as one of the rarest production Ducati's of its era, with estimates suggesting that only around 250 to 300 examples were built. Following the introduction of the square-case 860 range in 1975, Ducati intended these new models to take centre stage within its sporting and touring line-up. However, strong demand remained for a machine in the 750cc class, particularly among privateers and enthusiasts seeking a competitive basis for production racing. At the same time, some markets showed increasing interest in larger-capacity sporting models. As a result, Ducati produced a limited number of specialist 750SS and 900SS models that combined characteristics of both the earlier and newer generations. These motorcycles paired the proven bevel-drive desmodromic cylinder heads and sporting aesthetics of the celebrated round-case machines with the stronger square-case engine architecture introduced on the 860 series. Retaining the lightweight sporting chassis of the earlier 750 models, these machines were equipped with a range of competition-inspired features, including clip-on handlebars, rear-set footrests, a single-seat arrangement, a half fairing, and twin front disc brakes. Built in relatively small numbers and with performance as a priority, they were aimed squarely at serious sporting riders and racers. Offered from a Swiss collection, this exceptional Ducati is reported by the private vendor to have been restored to concours condition by the workshop of Dominik Ellenrieder, the former racing driver, renowned restorer, and respected collector of historic motorcycles and motor cars. Purchased by the current owner from the prestigious Dominik Ellenrieder collection following the completion of its restoration, the motorcycle was acquired in its present concours condition. While detailed restoration records do not accompany the machine, the quality of the workmanship is evident throughout. Furthermore, the...
