Footnotes

• 1974 Ducati Formula 750SS Racing Motorcycle
  Frame no. 750834
  Engine no. 075226 - DM750.1
  
  • Delivered new to Oscar La Ferla
  • Raced in Italy in the 1970s
  • Restored with the assistance of Reno Leoni.

  
  
  It was, without question, Paul Smart's famous victory at Imola on Sunday 23rd 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 MV Agusta of Giacomo Agostini. Also ranged against Ducati that day were works entries from Honda, Norton and Moto Guzzi, plus semi-works machines from Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW and Laverda. There was a lot at stake: the 750cc sportsbike category was vitally important to all the major manufacturers, so Ducati's win in this company was of immense commercial significance for the relatively small Italian firm. It also emphatically demonstrated the potential of the Fabio Taglioni-designed v-twin.
  
  This Ducati 750SS racer was commissioned from the factory by Oscar La Ferla's father to celebrate his son's 18th birthday, and was delivered in racing specification together with an optional (separate) NCR kit. Oscar La Ferla tested the Ducati at Vallelunga in 1974 (photograph on file) but found it not to his liking and opted to race a Honda instead.
  
  Still the original, the frame has the Verlicchi machine-stamped design number 'DM750SS DGM11871OM', but did not have a serial number originally as the machine was intended only for racing. In 1977, the frame was hand-stamped (with the number '750834') because an individual serial number was required by new regulations for races both inside and outside Italy. In that same year, the 750SS was sold by La Ferla to the Ducati dealership in Rome. It competed in numerous races with various riders up to 1979 and then remained in store at the dealership for many years. When the dealership closed in 2009, the Ducati was acquired by the current vendor.
  
  The machine was in poor condition when acquired, and the vendor asked legendary Ducati tuner, Reno Leoni of Bologna (he was back from the USA) to help him restore it. A photograph of the Ducati (rider unknown) being raced at Monza in 1979 had come with it; at that meeting the machine carried the number '7', so it was decided to use that for the restoration.
  
  The rebuilt machine was tested in 2011 at the Misano circuit where everything was found to be working properly. Since the Misano test, the Ducati has not been used and should require only minimal re-commissioning before returning to the racetrack for racing or parades. Together with a signed photograph of Oscar La Ferla sat on this motorcycle, we are advised by the vendor that the machine is 100% original in every respect apart from the fairing and the seat (the original items, in poor condition, are included in the sale).

Saleroom notices

• The frame number is DM750SS 750834. The original fairing and seat are not included with this Lot.