Room four, or, "The Bevel Room," is where Ducati's modern racing history starts to take shape. The early '70s saw many firsts, most notable of which is the first engine above 450cc and the first time the company produced a 90-degree V-twin layout. Both of these were achieved with the 750SS and racing victories were soon to follow - Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari took a historic one-two finish in its debut at the Imola 200. The 750SS would later become the 900SS and it was again Mike Hailwood who gave the SS its most famous victory, coming out of retirement in 1978 to race - and win - the Isle of Man TT. Hailwood's 900SS is the centerpiece of this room.
A Cucciolo frame, minus the...
A Cucciolo frame, minus the rest of its parts, reveals how similar it was to a regular bicycle of the time.
Long before the Desmosedici...
Long before the Desmosedici V-four there was the Apollo. In 1963 Fabio Taglioni's prototype 1260cc V-four was supposed to be the heart of a power cruiser aimed directly at challenging Harley-Davidson (sound familiar?) The concept was squashed as testers discovered that rear tire technology wasn't adequate to handle the power.
Single cylinder, small displacement...
Single cylinder, small displacement bikes were the basis of the company's Grand Prix efforts for years.
The 125 Gran Sport started...
The 125 Gran Sport started winning globally and cemented Ducati's reputation as a racing company.
Marco Lucchinelli took this...
Marco Lucchinelli took this 750cc TT1 to victory at Daytona, Laguna Seca and Misano in the Formula One Championship (the precursor to World Superbike).
When Cagiva bought Ducati...
When Cagiva bought Ducati the two worked together to make a motorcycle fit to conquer the Paris-Dakar Rally. The Elefant is it. A complete departure for Ducati, the Elefant featured a 900cc air/oil-cooled V-twin and long-travel suspension for off-road duty.
Quite possibly the most collectable...
Quite possibly the most collectable Ducati, only 65 Supermonos were produced between 1992 and 1995. The single-cylinder machine was only 550ccs, but had an extremely high power to weight ratio. Pierre Terblanche designed the Supermono - the same man who designed the polarizing 999 Superbike.
One of three Hailwood 900SS...
One of three Hailwood 900SS racebikes left, Mike "The Bike" Hailwood came out of retirement in 1978 to race this bike to victory in the Isle of Man TT, then part of the championship calendar.
Many features from room five, The Pantah Family, are still recognizable in today's machines. A departure from the bevel drives, the 500cc two-valve Pantah engine used belts to drive the camshafts, making the machines more reliable and more suited toward competition. The engine would grow throughout the years, eventually becoming the 750 F1, and be housed in many different chassis - the trellis frame being the most successful. Toward the end of its life, the Pantah spawned the Monster, ST2 and Supersport families of Ducati's road-going models.
In 1972, Paul Smart rode this...
In 1972, Paul Smart rode this 750SS - the first Ducati V-twin - to a legendary victory at the Imola 200.
The Pantah family of Ducatis...
The Pantah family of Ducatis formed the basis of the company's racing efforts from the late '70s through much of the '80s. This Pantah ice racer is a less common example of a Ducati racebike.
In 1956 Mario Carini and Santo...
In 1956 Mario Carini and Santo Ciceri piloted the 98cc, Marianna-based Siluro (torpedo) to numerous land-speed records. What's more, only minor modifications were needed to reach those records.
The sixth room really needs no introduction. Here lies the machines that brought Ducati World Superbike fame and glory, starting with the 851 on through to the 1198 of today. As one of only two European manufacturers to compete in the inaugural World Superbike championship in 1988, it was the only one to use a twin-cylinder engine housed in a trellis frame. The venerable 888 won the title in '90, '91 and '92, but in '94 the timeless 916 was introduced and utterly dominated the championship for the rest of the decade in the hands of Carl Fogarty and Troy Corser.
Clearly a company as dedicated...
Clearly a company as dedicated to competition as Ducati would have a space just for trophies and plaques. In the background are just a few of the World Superbike championship winning machines, and to the left are the helmet and leathers Troy Bayliss wore during his final race in Portimao at the end of 2008.
A fitting end to the museum, room seven was opened in 2004 to honor the Desmosedici and the company's return to Grand Prix racing the year prior. On display are trophies and plaques, with Loris Capirossi's and Casey Stoner's Grand Prix machines taking center stage in the room.
Ducati's newest chapter, MotoGP,...
Ducati's newest chapter, MotoGP, might be small, but it's no less important. Success at the highest level is no small feat and Casey Stoner's 2007 championship winning machine sits among its brethren at the museum.
Without a doubt the Ducati museum gives a comprehensive look at the company's racing history, and yet from the main lobby of the factory the museum is easy to miss. Fortunately, there are signs strewn across the main thoroughfare just outside the factory. If you ever find yourself in Italy on the A13 Autostrada near Bologna, follow the signs toward Borgo Panigale and experience the collection for yourself.