DUCATIS SHINE AT SHANNONS SUMMER AUCTION

At Shannons Timed Online Summer Auction that wrapped up on 1 March, a sextet of Ducatis were amongst the top-selling motorcycles, with a restored Mike Hailwood Replica leading the way.

A total of 33 motorcycles were consigned for this auction, covering everything from a 1963 Honda CB72 to a 2019 MV Agusta Brutale 800RR Lewis Hamilton Edition., as well as rarities like a 1928 Matchless LR2 race bike, 1988 Norton Commander rotary, 1978 Honda CD200 and three-wheelers from Innocenti and Moto Guzzi.

The Ducatis on offer, from collectors in Queensland and New South Wales, included a 1973 750 GT, C1974 750 Sport and C1976 900 SS, all in project spec, as well as a 1983 Darmah 900 SD and a pair of 900 MHR (Mike Hailwood Replica) models.

Of the two MHRs, one was a restored 1979 model, with the other from 1981 described as being in project spec, having not being started for several years.

With MHRs being amongst the most collectable Ducatis of all time, both came to the online auction with high pre-sale estimates: $48,000 - $58,000 for the restored ’79 model and $25,000 - $35,000 for the unrestored 1981 example.

Interestingly, the unrestored MHR attracted the most attention when bidding opened on 22 February, perhaps due to the low – 25,914km – odometer reading and that the crankcase seal was still intact, indicating the motor had never been apart.

Ultimately, the project 1981 MHR sold for $29,500, while the restored 1979 MHR made $50,500 to be the top-selling motorcycle at the auction.

Runner-up amongst the bikes was the C1974 Ducati 750 Sport, which exceeded its estimate to sell for $43,750 despite being a project and offered with no reserve.

The project 750 GT and 900 SS went for $33,500 and $27,500, respectively, while the ’83 Darmah 900 SD sold for $20,500.

Other sales of note included $35,000 for the 1-of-144 MV Agusta Brutale Lewis Hamilton Edition, $31,000 for a 1933 Ariel Red Hunter, $34,750 for a 1973 Kawasaki H2A Mach IV and $16,500 for a ’66 Triumph Bonneville T120R.