1969 Ducati 450 MkIII Desmo

•Ultra-rare 450 with twin filler tank
•Believed mainly original and unrestored
•Featured in 'Ducati Scrambler, Desmo & Mark 3' book

In the late 1940s Ducati began to produce the Cucciolo engine designed by Aldo Farinelli, and manufactured for SIATA. The Cucciolo was a clip-on engine used on bicycles, and catered to the desperate desire for transport in the post-war aftermath. Eventually Ducati capitalised on their production of the little motor, and manufactured a complete motorcycle powered by a Cucciolo engine. This first machine appeared in 1950, and thereafter they followed a similar path to other Italian motorcycle manufacturers, producing small capacity, economical and inexpensive machines for a transport-hungry public.

In 1954 they hired designer Fabio Taglioni, and it is no coincidence that from that point Ducati creations were more sporting-oriented. Unsurprisingly, Ducati's involvement with racing began soon after Taglioni's arrival, and started with a 98cc overhead camshaft engine. Later, for racing, came the double overhead cam engine with desmodromic valve operation, which was to become a feature of many future Ducatis. Triumphant in its first Grand Prix outing, the 'desmo' was here to stay. The road singles of the 1950s and 60s continued in 100, 125, 175 and 200 capacities, whilst smaller machines were given over to two stroke engines. Capacities of the four stroke singles grew to 250, 350 and eventually 450 throughout the sixties, with road, sports and street scrambler versions and desmodromic valve operation eventually appearing on the road bikes from 1968 onward.

The vendor acquired EPV 129H in 2013 from Made in Italy Motorcycles, who had imported it from Italy. The machine had featured in Massimo Clarke's book 'Ducati Scrambler, Desmo and Mark 3' (copy of the book included) as an original example of the model (examination of the photographs reveals the same small 'nick' in the offside of the seat cover – although the seat has now been recovered, the original cover comes with the bike). This particular model, with the twin-filler petrol tank, and vintage styling, is so rare that many marque histories fail to mention it. The owner was impressed by the bike's originality, believing much of the paintwork to be original, together with the retained seat cover mentioned above. He has not used it on the road, but it has been started at regular intervals until recently, and kept in dry storage. Only modest re-commissioning and basic safety checks should be required prior to use on the road with a new owner.

Documentation comprises the current V5C, an expired MoT certificate, a valuation certificate, and a photocopy maintenance manual, together with the aforementioned Massimo Clarke book. A key is present.