A superb and rare photo of Paul Smart (nr. 16 Duc) and Bruno Spaggiari (nr. 9 Duc) with the
legendary Ducati 750cc desmodromic
V-twin factory racers on their way to the very historic and very famous
1-2 victory in the
That day a crowd of 70,000 people saw Paul Smart on the #16 Ducati win
the heavily battled
The Ducati 750 Imola Desmo is one of the most
famous bikes in the world. It is best known, and, of course named after,
its victory with Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari in the
The win at Imola defined Ducati’s future approach to racing, with the manufacturer focusing its attention almost exclusively on production-derived machines. However, before explaining more about the importance of Paul Smart, Imola and the legendary “number 16 Ducati 750 Imola”, we must take a step back in time.
In 1972 Checco Costa bought the
The Imola racers featured Ducati’s famous 4-stroke longitudinal split
90° V twin engine. The crankcase cylinder and cylinderheads were cast in light
alloy; the cylinders had cast-iron liners. Bore and stroke was 80 x
Underneath some more information on these incredible machines:
Frame - chassis: Duplex open-cradle tubular-steel frame
Front suspension: Marzocchi telescopic hydraulic front forks with raked pins
Rear suspension: Swinging-arm rear suspension with two Ceriani 310-mm shocks
Front brake: Twin 280-mm disks with Lockheed calipers
Rear brake: 229-mm disk with Lockheed caliper
Front tyre: Borrani light alloy rims, Dunlop KR Tires,
Rear tyre: Borrani light alloy rims, Dunlop KR Tires, 3.
Fuel tank: Fiberglass fuel tank with
Length:
Wheelbase:
Rake:
Weight:
Amazingly, these Ducati 750cc desmodromic V-twin machines were totally new, it was the first time they had their race outing. In a long battle Smart and Spaggiari beat the heavy competition of MV Agusta and Giacomo Agostini, three works Moto Guzzi’s, four works BSA and Triumph Triples, three works Norton’s and 2 works Honda’s… An astonishing feat for a new roadracer! It was an amazing day in Ducati history and it brought once again well deserved fame to Fabio Taglioni’s extraordinary desmo V-twin design!
The Ducati 750 ‘s were often used in production based racing on both sides of the Atlantic. In the early 1970’s, long distance racing was extremely popular in Europe, especially Italy. These events were responsible for the quick gaining popularity of the heavier sports motorcycle, like the Ducati 750 SS, the Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, the Benelli 650 Tornado, the BMW R 90 S Daytona and the Laverda SFC 750; but also the Japanese sports motorcycles like the Kawasaki 350, 500 and 750 triples, but also heavy four strokes like the Honda CB 750 Four. Riders that would make world fame, like Franco Uncini and Marco Lucchinelli, all participated in these races before they made the steps to the Grand Prix World Championship racing scene.
Today, the Ducati Sport Classics models like the PaulSmart 1000, the Sport 1000 and the GT 1000, pay all directly tribute to the Imola era and the wonderful Ducati bikes that came from it!
This victory in Imola is regarded as the most classic victory Ducati
ever scored. This historic, non orignal photo shows Paul Smart (16) and Bruno Spaggiari (9)
on their way to fame during that race. It is rare to obtain a photo like this,
therefore it is printed in a nice large format of approx. 8" x 11.5"
(20 x
Check out our other Ebay auctions or contact us for more Ducati and other motorcycle (racing) photos! Combine auctions and save on shipping.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.