CLASSICS
Ambitious Aussies release spectacular Hailwood replica…
Fabulous replica of Mike Hailwood’s 1978 Ducati NCR900F1 racer.
BROOK HENRY AND his Australian Vee Two company have been building super-fast and meticulously engineered Ducatis for decades. The latest project is perhaps the most aspiring creation to date, an exact replica of the Ducati NCR 900F1 on which Mike Hailwood won the 1978 Senior TT, after eleven years away from the Island. Actually, calling it a replica is underselling this new V-twin. Vee Two have got hold of the original factory blueprints, casting patterns and manufacturing rights for the prototype 883cc bevel-drive motor used in Hailwood’s racer. The design has been polished up using 40 years of progress, and though identical to the original on the outside it’s modern internally. With one-piece crank, Nikasil bores and strengthened cases, it’s also got 1mm fatter forged pistons to give 905cc and 89bhp at 8500rpm – three horses more than Mike raced with. The frame’s just as authentic as the engine, employing factory drawing’s by Italian chassis specialists Pierobon (the blokes who build tube frames for Panigales). As in 1978 it has Marzocchi forks and Girling ‘Black’ gas shocks. Wheels are copies of the Campagnolo originals, made by Marvic, and are typical of the just-so details littering the bike. However, this perfect homage doesn’t come cheap. The new Hailwood racer costs £110,000, and they’ll be making just a dozen (in-line with Hailwood’s race number).