Before the legendary 750 Super Sport V-twin, before Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari’s famous 1–2 victory at Imola in 1972, Ducati’s performance reputation was being forged by a very different motorcycle. The 450 Desmo single represented the ultimate development of Ducati’s celebrated bevel-drive singles and, in competition form, was among the fastest and most formidable machines the Bologna factory had produced. Light, highly tuned and unmistakably Italian, the 450 combined Fabio Taglioni’s brilliant desmodromic valve technology with a level of performance that was extraordinary for a single-cylinder motorcycle of its era.

The 450 made a dramatic early impression at Rimini in 1968, where competition development reportedly extracted around 50 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. Racing specification brought serious hardware, including twin-plug ignition, larger valves, a huge 42mm Dell’Orto carburettor, 10:1 compression, a reinforced swinging arm and powerful Fontana twin-leading-shoe front brake. These were not merely cosmetic sporting additions; they reflected Ducati’s determination to extract everything possible from its now-famous bevel-drive single.

Today, the 450 MK3D Corsa represents a fascinating chapter in Ducati history; the point where the marque’s great single-cylinder racing tradition reached its zenith just before the V-twins changed Ducati forever. Its combination of Taglioni engineering, desmodromic technology, rarity and genuine competition pedigree makes the 450 Corsa far more than an early Ducati racer; it is an important ancestor of the sporting Ducatis that would soon establish the company as one of Italy’s great performance motorcycle marques.

• Frame:DM450M3 701728.
•  1970’s build date with dual sided single leader brake identifying as 1973, at the end of the series.
• Acquired by the then proprietor of Auckland Motorcycles who held the Ducati agency at that time (1977)
• Corsa kit supplied direct from Ducati comprising frame modifications, engine upgrades including cams, larger valves, shock absorbers front, exhaust fuel tank and fairings.
•  The then owner enjoyed considerable success with this machine at Pukekohe, Ardmore, Whenuapai, and Manfield circuits in the North Island racing in VSCC, TACCOC and other specialist racing series in the vintage up to 500cc pre 1972.
• Moving to Queenstown with the owner  in 1989 the bike became a common sight at Ruapuna Levels and Teretonga, until being sold (for the first time) to Ashburton around 2006. The bike returned to his stable a couple of years later, and was sold again to Oxford 2016 where it was last run 2019 at a BEARS meeting.
• So continuous ownership and history from 1977 to 2020, largely with the one owner / rider.
• Recent engine and gearbox / clutch refresh, not run since. High compression 12:1 engine requires 100 octane plus a lead additive. Develops dollops of torque early in the rev range putting it to the front of the field when capably ridden.
• Visually a very pretty machine that epitomises the 60’s and 70’s perfectly. A “must have” for any garage either as a static or working exhibit.
• Engine and gearbox recently freshened (circa 3 years ago) up by the legendary Eric Swinbourne, of Naseby, and never raced since. Not sure exactly what was done to engine…presumably, rings, bearings etc…checked, and replaced if necessary. Eric built the bike up back in the 1970’s from the kit supplied by Bruno Taglioni of Ducati. (Eric owned Auckland Motorcycles way back then, and he held the Ducati franchise).  There are some spares too, like another piston etc. Eric has always looked after this bike and it was he who did the work on it. Bike is ready to oil and fuel up and go racing….probably will need a new battery.

This is a Competition Bike so being sold as is i.e.: unregistered (No WOF or Registration). As Eric himself once stated, anyone who knows old racing bikes would give their left nut to own and ride this bike 🙂

The 1970 Ducati 450 MK3D Corsa occupies a particularly desirable corner of the classic Italian motorcycle market. Ducati’s bevel-drive singles are increasingly recognised as some of the marque’s most important early sporting motorcycles, combining Fabio Taglioni-era engineering, desmodromic technology and unmistakable Italian competition character. The 450 was the largest of Ducati’s celebrated sporting singles, and genuine Corsa specification and documented competition history can elevate an example well beyond the value of a standard road-going 450 Desmo.

Values demonstrate just how strongly the market can reward the right machine. For collectors, however, the attraction extends well beyond monetary value. These motorcycles come from an era when Ducati was still a relatively small Italian manufacturer whose road and racing development were closely intertwined. Their mechanical simplicity, distinctive bevel-drive engine, desmodromic valve gear, lightweight construction and unmistakable exhaust note give them an authenticity that later motorcycles struggle to replicate.

As interest in significant classic Italian motorcycles continues, correct specification, documented provenance, period competition equipment and originality are likely to remain the principal drivers of desirability and long-term appreciation. A properly documented 450 MK3D Corsa therefore represents far more than another vintage Ducati: it is a tangible piece of Ducati’s formative competition history and a highly evocative example of the golden age of the Italian sporting single.

New Zealand Sales
Unless otherwise stated, vehicles sold for use in New Zealand will be supplied with a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and 12 months New Zealand registration at the time of sale.

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New Zealand transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged on the Buyer’s behalf and at the Buyer’s cost and risk. Any freight, shipping, insurance, customs charges, duties, taxes, import costs, certification or compliance costs are the responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

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For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime, or contact us through the form below.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak.

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Group Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”. Waimak Group Ltd is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Group Ltd does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Group Ltd.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.