Six iconic Ducatis in Shannons Summer Online Auction

Six outstanding Ducatis from noted Queensland and Sydney collectors – all offered with ‘no reserve’ – are amongst the 32 classic motorcycles in Shannons upcoming Timed Online Summer Auction from February 22-March 1, check them all out below!

This superbly-presented circa-1974 Ducati 750 Sport is expected to sell with ‘no reserve’ for $30,000-$40,000…

Showcasing the halcyon days of Ducati superbikes in the 1970s and 1980s, the leaders of the pack are a circa-1974 Ducati 750 Sport, a twin cylinder circa-1976 900 Super Sport and a fully-restored 1979 Ducati MHR 900

The 750S today remains one of Ducati’s most revered performance models, with the example being auctioned presenting nicely in its lovely 1970s fashion colour combination of yellow-orange with black trim and alloy spoked-wheels. Offered in ‘project’ condition, as it requires some mechanical recommissioning to get it back into running condition, it is expected to appeal to collectors globally and sell in the $30,000-$40,000 range.

This iconic, fully-restored 1981 Ducati MHR 900 is expected to sell with ’no reserve’ for $48,000 – $58,000.

For a similar investment there is a ‘survivor classic’ big-bore twin cylinder circa-1976 Ducati 900 Super Sport that comes to auction in very good original condition after being in storage since mid-2010. The current owner of the 1975 Ducati 900 Super Sport says that Brook Henry at V2 in Perth stripped, assessed and replaced the bike’s original engine with one rebuilt from a 1975 860 GT.

Also right up there on the International desirability scale is a rare, wonderful and fully-restored 1979 Ducati MHR 900 ($48,000 – $58,000) – a replica of the special chrome moly-framed Super Sport model with its highly-tuned 900cc engine that ‘Mike the Bike’ Hailwood rode to a sensational victory in the 1978 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy against more powerful Honda opposition.

This sought-after circa-1976 Ducati 900 Super Sport in very good original condition is expected to sell for $30,000-$40,000 in Shannons Timed Online Summer Auction.

Twelve months later, Ducati released a race replica based on the TT-winning Super Sport, complete with a stunning red and green fairing and reworked exhaust to extract more power from the big V-twin. Just 4,601 900 MHR bikes were made between 1979 and 1984, with each of the survivors now a blue-chip collector’s item today.

A second Ducati MHR in the auction is a very original 1981 ‘survivor’ that is being offered in ‘project’ condition ­– having not been started in recent years. Listed on the Bevel Heaven registry and perfect for the serious Ducati collector, this MHR even has its original windscreen and crankcase seal in place, indicating the casings have never been apart, making it ideal for collectors. Supplied with original registration certificates, some service history, and showing just 25,914km on its odometer, it is expected to be in demand at its projected ‘no reserve’ selling price of $25,000-$35,000.

An alternative to a classic Ducati is this ‘as new’ limited edition 2019 MV Agusta Brutale 800RR ‘Lewis Hamilton Edition’ motorcycle offered with ‘no reserve’ and expected to sell in the $38,000 – $46,000 range.

As an appealing Italian alternative to a classic Ducati, Shannons also have another very rare performance classic bike in the auction – a limited edition 2019 MV Agusta Brutale 800RR ‘Lewis Hamilton Edition’ motorcycle that is also offered with ‘no reserve’ and expected to sell in the $38,000 – $46,000 range. Build number 004 of just 144, this one-owner superbike is in superb condition with just 99km showing on its odometer.

The LH44 was first delivered to an enthusiast from Mount Vernon, NSW in December, 2019 and has remained in his collection ever since. Supplied with a genuine MV Agusta trickle charger, electronic master key and full books, the 800 RR Brutale LH44 is perfect for the Italian superbike collector or Lewis Hamilton fan.

Click here to view all the auctions lots!

A British bike in the auction guaranteed to set yourself apart from the pack is a super-rare 1988 Norton Commander P53. Originally out of the UK, this big Norton tourer is powered by a twin-rotor 588cc Wankel rotary engine – one of just 253 Norton Commanders built with a rotary engine – making it an extremely rare bike in world terms.

Its twin-rotor 588cc Wankel rotary engine produced 63kW at 9000rpm and 75Nm at 7000rpm and was mated to a five-speed gearbox, sitting on a 1,486mm wheelbase. In this configuration, the Commander was primarily a tourer with full bodywork and a tall windscreen, with its twin panniers integral with its fibreglass bodywork.

For classic motorcycle enthusiasts wanting something different there is this super-rare 1988 twin rotary-engined Norton Commander P53 that is expected to bring $24,000-$30,000.

Two types of Commander were produced, the P52 single-seat model for police use and the dual-seat P53 civilian tourer. Befitting its touring role, the Commander’s final-drive chain was protected by a full enclosure, while parts such as wheels, forks, switchgear, clocks and brakes were brought-in Yamaha items from its XJ900. 

Showing just 9,900km on its odometer at the time of cataloguing in just over 30 years, the Commander P53 presents nicely in its burgundy paint with its full fairing, dual panniers and black seat. It is expected to sell in the $24,000-$30,000 range.