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

Mike Hailwood’s comeback victory at the Isle of Man in 1978, 11 years after he had retired and at the age of 38, holds a warm spot in the heart of every Ducati fan. But mention Paul Smart at Imola in 1972, and one will generate even more enthusiasm. At that Italian racetrack on 23 April, 1972, 70,000 race fans watched underdog Ducati defeat the world’s best riders on what were previously assumed to be the world’s best bikes. The riders included world champion Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read, Cal Rayborn and Walter Villa competing in the inaugural 200-mile race, much like Europe’s Daytona, with more than $40,000 in prize money.

Agostini took off in the lead with Smart and Spaggiari behind him, but Smart passed him on lap four and Spaggiari a lap later. After that, the two Ducatis diced with each other until the finish—Spaggiari passing Smart but then running wide as he started to misfire, low on fuel. The Ducatis finished one-two at an average speed of 97.76 mph, with Smart, Spaggiari and Agostini sharing the fastest lap at 100.1 mph. The “green frame” Ducati 750 Super Sport had arrived.

However, it looked as though two-strokes were soon going to rule Moto GP, and Ducati switched the V-twin to endurance racing, which had no engine restrictions. By boring the cylinders to 86 mm and using 450 racing pistons, the 864-cc 900 SS was created. The new bike made its race-winning debut at Montjuich Park, Barcelona, where Benjamin Grau and Salvador Canellas won the 24 hours endurance race in July 1973.

The bike offered here is Carlo Saltarelli’s own endurance racer, campaigned by him in 1975-77, beginning life in 1971 as a 750 GT. This machine has seen thorough use on the race track and has a round crankcase engine, fitted with larger 864-cc barrels. It has twin Dell’Orto PHM 40AS carburettors, Veglia competition tachometer counter, twin Marzocchi rear shock absorbers and the preferred Imola high pipes, which improve cornering clearance. The front brakes are Brembo, handlebars are Tommaselli and the fairing carries twin endurance headlights. The wheels are EPM as used by MV Agusta on their Grand Prix machines. The bike is in clean race-prepared condition with considerable cosmetic appeal. It is bound to draw a crowd wherever it appears, and its race results speak for themselves, including a 3rd Overall and 1st in Class in the 1,000 kms event at Misano on 5 June, 1977 for the FIM “Coupe d’Endurance” European Endurance Championship.

This motorcycle is supplied with a certificate from NCR confirming it was race-prepared and built by NCR for competition use.