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 center 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 con-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 center-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.’ Today the 750SS is regarded as a true landmark model and is one of the most sought-after of all Ducatis.

This original and un-restored Ducati 750SS was purchased new in September 1975 from Wheels Unlimited in Rochester, MN (a Ducati and Norton dealer) by the current owner. The bike was assembled out of its crate by the vendor, and has been serviced by him and the supplying dealer throughout its life. We are advised that although there are no service records, the oil (Shaefer’s 50W Racing Moly) has always been changed at 1,000-mile intervals, the valves set and other items properly cared for. The bike has never been raced on the track and the factory seals are still on the motor, which is reported as in ‘perfect’ condition and leak free. Some relatively minor items have been changed in the interests of reliability, such as the coils and velocity stacks, but the originals come with the machine. The factory tool kit is present, although its original plastic packet has disintegrated.

As would be expected after 32 years in operation, the machine does show signs of use. Around 1977, it suffered a low speed ‘spin out’, scratching the end of one muffler and the kickstart lever. The fiberglass tank leaked and has been repaired but not perfectly, while the rear brake hose’s plastic covering is starting to detach. The only other notified blemishes are some paint scratches here and there. All in all, the bike remains in nice original condition, only needing a repaint and some ‘TLC’ to be perfect once again. It thus represents a rare opportunity to acquire an un-raced, one-owner, low-mileage example of Ducati’s most iconic ‘bevel drive’ model, which can only become increasingly collectible.