1961 Ducati 175 TS
Frame no. 51461
Engine no. 35845

Designed by Fabio Taglioni, the first Ducati overhead-camshaft single - the 100 Gran Sport - appeared on the racetrack in 1954 and soon proved unbeatable in its class. Taglioni's versatile design proved capable of considerable enlargement, being produced in various capacities from the original 98cc up to 450cc. The 175cc class was popular in Continental Europe and Ducati's first offerings in that category appeared towards the end of the 1950s. A pair of 175cc roadsters was introduced for the 1956 season, the Sport version of which (known as the 'Silverstone' in the UK) was capable of more than 80mph in road trim and close to the 'ton' when stripped for racing, an astonishing achievement at the time and one that helped establish the giant killing reputation long enjoyed by Ducati's miniature masterpieces. Alongside it Ducati offered the 175 T (Turismo), which was made in a lower state of tune and became the TS (Turismo Speciale) for 1958. Manufactured for only a few seasons, these 175cc tourers are today quite rare. This superb example was restored by Italian-motorcycle specialists Motori di Marino of West Chillington, West Sussex in 2000 and is presented in generally very good condition. Purchased 18 months ago by the current vendor, it has not been used since acquisition, though reputedly had been running well. The machine is offered with dating certificate and MoT to January 2014.