PADDOCK GOSSIP

What’s happening in the wild world of classic racing as we are now firmly into 2021… Let’s hope for a better year and a busier one than 2020!

Currently for sale is this 1978 Ducati NCR which was supplied new to Steve Wynne Racing who set up Mike Hailwood's TT winning machine of the same year.

Paul Jayson of The Motorcycle Broker has this special machine to sell for its current owner. He says: “It was in the crate for many years and then used only to parade once with Paul Smart riding it. It is unrestored and completely original with the round case, dry clutch, sand-cast NCR motor.

“Only 18 of these machines were built and this is one of the few genuine ones to come to market since January 2014 when Bonhams sold one for £125,000. Since then race bike prices have gone crazy as race car owners have spotted the incredible value that motorcycles are offering. The Motorcycle Broker is selling this beautiful, unrestored example POA for the owner.”

Details from the owner say that: this is one of 18 produced in the NCR workshop over the two year period of 1978-1979. One of eight produced in 1978, this example is one of the sister bikes to the iconic Mike Hailwood Isle of Man victory bike.

Documentation includes:

Copy of the manufacturer's statement of origin dated May 24, 1979 to Ghost Motorcycles of Port Washington, NY from Berliner Motor Corp. the importer of that era into the USA

Certificate of sale to original purchaser, David Gigante on September 18, 1979

Letter dated May 6, 1993 Giorgio Nepoti to Pierre Sola authenticating the #088355 was in fact built in the NCR Race shop

Fax copy dated August 26, 1997 of correspondence from Pierre Sola to Steve Wynne of Sports motorcycles indicating the still unrestored original condition of the bike.

The bike was displayed at several classic events and was fitted with new tyres and put on the track for demonstration laps ridden by Paul Smart. Otherwise it has been started occasionally but not ridden. For more go to: www.themotorcyclebroker.co.uk