Specifications: 748 cc SOHC V-twin, five speeds.

When the 750GT was launched in 1971, it was about as subtle as the decade. The first examples had silver painted frames, and the tank and side covers were metallic colours, such as gold, lime green, bright blue or red.

However, the engine was a thing of beauty, and its construction was so precise that it took up to eight hours to assemble one, making sure that all the bevel-drive gears and bearings were correctly set up. Racing engines took two days to build. As a result, less than 2,000 bikes a year were built between 1971-78, including 750 Sports and 750 Super Sports.

Journalists were uniform in their praise of the 750GT’s handling, bringing it well past 120 mph. Sales were slow until Paul Smart’s win at Imola in April 1972, when Ducati beat the world’s best riders and manufacturers. Taglioni always considered the 750’s engine his best design.

The bike offered here is in excellent overall condition with superior paint and chrome and the early Amal carburettors. Being an early example in such a vibrant colour, it’s likely to draw a crowd anywhere.