Rare Ducatis for sale in Vegas

Bonhams is to auction the Silverman Collection of rare Ducatis at its January Las Vegas motorcycle sale. The auctioneers have already announced that the Pierce Museum collection of Harley-Davidsons will headline the event.

Rare Ducatis up for grabs

Comprised of Italian thoroughbreds, the Silverman collection is renowned for having the best of the best. Like the world-famous Silverman collection of Native American artifacts, universally regarded as one of the best in existence, the collection of Ducati motorcycles is described as "second to none".

Following the owner’s passion for racing and, indeed, the DNA of the marque itself, most of the collection is built around competition models. For instance, featured is a 1973 750SS Imola Short Stroke. Based on the motorcycle that roared to victory in the 1972 Imola GP, capturing both first and second places with factory riders Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari, this is the model that launched the Ducati legend. As Classic Driver magazine once wrote: “With an engine note as moving as an opera by Verdi and curves as beguiling as Sophia Loren’s, it is the all-time favorite model from the Bologna manufacturer."

Then there is a rare 1974 750SS Green Frame Round Case – never sold new in the US – with its boisterous symphony, powerful motor and low production numbers. Bonhams says it represents one of the finest and most desirable of all Ducatis. And there's a 1978 Ducati 900 NCR, the same model that propelled legendary racer Mike Hailwood to a victorious comeback (after an 11-year hiatus!) at the Isle of Man and Mallory Park.

Perhaps most noteworthy, however, is the original-condition 1984 750SS TT1 campaigned by Pablo Real. In addition to being the progenitor of the successful four-valve Ducati racers that paved the way for world Superbike domination, TT1 models are rare and come up for sale very infrequently, let alone one with documented race history. Better still, not one but two TT1s are being offered!

Other multiple same-model machines from this astounding collection include two or more TT2s, F1 Desmos and F1 Montjuics, something that is practically unheard of, in addition to the many other fine examples from the group.

The Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction will take place at Bally’s Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday, 9 January.  The catalogue becomes available this month.
bonhams.com/vegas

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