A historic 1972 Ducati 750 Imola racer and an exceptionally original 1974 Ducati 750SS Green Frame will lead a tempting selection of collector motorcycles crossing the block during Monterey Car Week.

Two remarkable Ducatis with direct links to one of the most important chapters in the Italian manufacturer’s history are set to appear at the Mecum Monterey 2026 auction.

The auction takes place at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California, from August 13-15, with the two Ducatis scheduled to cross the block on Saturday, August 15.

Leading the pair is a 1972 Ducati 750 Imola racer, one of only eight examples produced and one of seven taken by Ducati to the inaugural Imola 200-mile race.

That event became a defining moment in Ducati history when Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari delivered a memorable first-and-second-place finish for the factory.

According to respected Ducati historian Ian Falloon, the motorcycle heading to Monterey was one of two machines prepared for Smart’s 1972 Imola campaign and is believed to be the counterpart of the winning bike now preserved in the Ducati Museum in Bologna.

An extraordinary survivor

The Imola racer is claimed to retain an exceptional amount of original factory material, including its bodywork, fairing, fuel tank, seat and tail section.

It is also said to be one of only three known examples that still carry their original engine cases. According to the information supplied for the auction, the machine has never been crashed or modified.

Fabio Taglioni and his team transformed Ducati’s production 750 GT into a serious Formula 750 racing machine for the Imola challenge.

The resulting racer combined Ducati’s L-twin engine and desmodromic valve system with lightweight competition bodywork, specialist engine components and a distinctive silver finish.

Mecum states that the engine produced around 85bhp at 8,800rpm, while the motorcycle weighed approximately 390lb dry and was capable of more than 170mph.

The racer’s fuel tank retains its original metallic silver finish and an unpainted vertical strip that allowed the team to see the remaining fuel level.

Further unusual details include an Italian military water bottle adapted for use as part of the engine’s crankcase breather system.

The Green Frame connection

Joining the racer is a highly original 1974 Ducati 750SS, better known among enthusiasts as the Green Frame.

The road-going 750SS emerged directly from Ducati’s success at Imola. Just 401 were produced to meet homologation requirements, making surviving original examples among the most desirable of all classic Ducatis.

The Monterey motorcycle is described as an unrestored, two-owner example displaying 10,841 kilometres.

Its 748cc L-twin engine is paired with a five-speed gearbox, while the specification includes the distinctive green frame, silver and gold bodywork, triple disc brakes and spoked wheels.

Ian Falloon has also examined this motorcycle and considers it to be one of approximately 10 examples worldwide surviving in such highly original, low-mileage condition.

The bike has reportedly undergone a detailed mechanical preservation programme, including an extensive engine service and brake overhaul, while retaining its original paint and major components.

Documentation from its first two owners and an Ian Falloon report covering its history and condition will be included with the sale.

You can view the full Mecum listing for the 1974 Ducati 750SS Green Frame here.

More than two Ducatis

While the Imola racer and Green Frame provide an irresistible hook for Ducati devotees, they form part of a broader selection of collector motorcycles appearing at Monterey.

The full motorcycle auction catalogue allows enthusiasts to browse the other machines currently consigned, with individual listings providing photographs, specifications and background information.

The motorcycle lots will join approximately 600 classic and collector cars during the three-day Monterey sale, held as part of the wider Monterey Car Week.

Whether you are looking for a serious addition to a collection, following the market or simply enjoying the opportunity to inspect some rarely seen machinery, the online catalogue is well worth exploring.

How to bid

Mecum Auctions offers three ways to bid: in person, by phone, or online.

Existing customers can sign in to complete their bidder registration. New users can create a MyMecum profile, which provides access to bidder registration and other account features.

Potential buyers should study the individual lot descriptions, auction conditions and buyer’s premium before bidding. Mecum also notes that lot information may be amended before the sale and that the details presented on the auction block take precedence over earlier descriptions.

For a more detailed look at the development, history and importance of both machines, read Mecum’s feature, Two Historic Motorcycles from Ducati’s Imola Legacy.

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