c.1957 Ducati 125 GP Bialbero Road Racing Motorcycle Frame no. DM542 Engine no. DM542

c.1957 Ducati 125 GP Bialbero Road Racing MotorcycleFrame no. DM542Engine no. DM542
• Very rare, original, matching numbers machine• Believed to have been raced in Italy in period• Featured in several books by the late Mick WalkerDucati Meccanica decided to hire ex-Bologna University scholar Fabio Taglioni of FB Mondial in the mid-1950s to design a new engine capable of winning out of the box. Upon joining, Taglioni undertook the design of what was to become the 98cc Gran Sport, or Marianna. This machine dominated its class in long distance street racing and was the foundation for Borgo Panigale's single overhead cam, twin cam and desmo single cylinder engines that helped make Ducati into the winner it is today. The new SOHC bevel racing model was first a capacity of 100cc in 1955 and was a convincing class winner. Soon a 125cc version followed with equal success, opening the budget for a proper 125 Grand Prix race bike. Introduced in 1956, the first bialbero used conventional rocker arms, the valves opening and closing via coil springs. This design proved unreliable and so in short order a 'desmodromic valve closing' design was created. While 1957 became a season of development for the works bikes, it also allowed the factory to produce some 'continuously developing' twin-cam production, privateer, race bikes. Perhaps 50 were made in total during 1957 and 1958. And were they ever successful?The 125cc bialbero made its official debut on February 25, 1956 and was almost identical to the Gran Sport apart from the cylinder head. With a maximum of 17bhp available at 12,000rpm, the 125 bialbero weighed 90kg (198lb) and had a top speed of around 175km/h (109mph). While the factory only campaigned the bialbero in a limited fashion, they were supplied to privateers and saw considerable development up until 1959. The young Mike Hailwood won many races on a Ducati bialbero in the late 1950s, and national championships were won in the 125cc class from Sweden to Brazil. Quoting from the Falloon Report (March 2016) – with permission - this machine, biabero no.DM542, is 'Almost certainly authentic. While the Gran Sport frame and brakes could indicate a modified Gran Sport, the DM frame number suggests this is a genuine bialbero. Other factors contributing to this assessment are their outstanding originality. All components such as the wheels, brakes, suspension, and controls are original and matching, and of course period correct, indicating that this motorcycle has enjoyed an easy post-retirement compared to many racing motorcycles which were plundered for parts or went onto historic racing, and thus were further developed away from their original specification. Although the racing history is unknown, as it was part of a Swiss collection (Rene Rutz Collection in Weiningen until 1980) it is most probably a motorcycle that was initially domiciled in Italy. It is believed to have been ridden by one of Ducati's star riders of the 1950s, Leopoldo Tartarini. From 1980 it was part of a collection in England. And in April 2011 it was sold into a west coast collection in the USA.'As an example of the 1957 Ducati 125 Grand Prix this is undoubtedly one of the most original and correct in existence.' And thus this is a clearly unique opportunity to acquire a genuine benchmark Ducati GP race bike – a valuable work of mechanical art. Offered on a Bill of Sale.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Also note, this bike is sold on a bill of sale.