Ducati has no shortage of race replicas in its back catalogue, but what we present to you today is perhaps one of the lesser-known ones. It’s still extremely special, and yet, it shouldn’t break the bank.
It’s a 750 F1 Montjuich, one of a series of hand-built race reps that celebrate endurance racing victories for the Italian marque. Along with the Montujuich, named after the street circuit in Barcelona, Spain, there was also the Santamonica and Laguna Seca.
Of the Montjuich, just 200 were made, and it’s a fair assumption that not all of those are still kicking around today. This, then, is a very rare opportunity to bag a very special Ducati when it goes under the hammer on 20 April.
Its revised engine features redesigned crankcases, a tougher gearbox, enlarged inlet ports, bigger carburettors and spicier camshafts. Oh, and a Verlicchi competition exhaust which Bonhams describes as “extremely loud”. Lovely.
Ducati also added an aluminium swingarm, 16-inch composite wheels made with a blend of magnesium and aluminium, four-pot Brembo front brakes, and an adjustable monoshock from Marzocchi. In other words, this would have been considered a thoroughly trick bit of kit at the time.
This particular example has done all of 3,812 miles despite first being built in 1986 and registered for road use in the UK in 1990 after importation. The only thing is, its lack of use means it does “require recommissioning” before it’s taken back on the road. In fact, the MOT last expired in…1990. On a more positive note, the auction page does state that the engine turns and the gears engage.
On an even more positive note, it shouldn’t be that expensive, despite its provenance. The estimate for the auction, which is part of Bonhams’ Spring Stafford Sale (from which there’s also a Suzuki RG500 in bits) is a very reasonable £9,000 - £12,000. Or, about the same price as a very nice but considerably less special 916 Biposto.
