Ducati 750 Imola Desmo up for auction
52 years ago, Paul Smart was victorious at the Imola 200 onboard the Ducati 750 Imola Desmo. Now, this bike will be up for auction, and estimates bring the bike value between USD 600,000 to USD 750,000 (roughly PHP 43 million).
According to the auction house, Gooding & Company, this 1972 Ducati 750 Imola Desmo is one of only eight legendary 750 cc Imola Desmos built, and one of only seven known to exist today.
While the actual bike that Paul Smart rode to victory is currently on display at the Ducati Museum in Bologna, Italy, this 1 of 2 750 Imola Desmo is the closest thing to that winning bike which only a true Ducatisti could appreciate.
In 1972, Ducati prepared eight 750 Imola Desmos for the Imola 200-mile races. The team was composed of Paul Smart, Bruno Spaggiari, Ermanno Giuliano, and Alan Dunscombe, with Smart getting the chequered flag after beating his teammate Spaggiari and rival Walter Villa who was riding a Triumph.
This win by Smart on the Imola 200 has secured his place as one of the greatest motorcycle racers ever. Ducati honored Smart with a limited-edition PaulSmart 1000 LE model in 2006.
Gooding & Company is scheduled to auction this piece of motorcycle history on May 17, 2024.
