Introduced in 1949, the Ducati 60 was the first motorcycle model ever built by the renowned Borgo Panigale-based firm. Its frame was designed by Gian Luigi Capellino, while its engine was an updated version of Ducati’s highly successful and influential Cucciolo powerplant. The Ducati 60 featured a three-speed gearbox, front and rear suspension, and was so light that it could be carried indoors at night to prevent theft. The 60’s incredible fuel economy and ease of use made it a wildly popular mode of transport in post-WWII Italy.

This charming machine is a custom cafe racer that features a dramatic and more modern non-Ducati frame equipped with rear mono-shock suspension and front telescopic forks, as well as a racing-style fuel tank, solo seat, and racy clubman-style handlebars. The engine is a Ducati 60 or 60 Sport unit, likely from the early 1950s, fitted with a long and sporting silencer that is equipped with a heat shield.

The current owner, a collector of rare and important Ducatis, was captivated by the bike when he saw it at Craigs Honda of Bradford, England, and purchased it in 2015. He has not ridden it since but instead displays it in his collection of exceptional Ducatis as a much-admired piece of two-wheeled art. The bike will need mechanical recommissioning before any use. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a small-displacement cafe racer that would make a cheerful addition to any collection.