Ducati 750cc Paul Smart 1972 Imola 200 motorcycle racing photo photograph

Description

A superb and rare photo of the great
Paul Smart
with the legendary
Ducati 750cc desmodromic V-twin factory racer
on his way to the very historic and very famous victory in the
200 miles
race of Imola in 1972
.
The 750 Imola Desmo is one of the most famous bikes in the world.  It is best known, and, of course named for, its victory with Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari in the
200 mile
race at Imola in 1972 – one of the most spectacular in racing history.  Much has been written about the fantastic final lap, which saw Smart and Spaggiari side by side almost all the way to the finishing line, but how this race changed the destiny of the Italian manufacturer has been relatively unexplored.
The win at Imola defined Ducati’s future approach to racing, with the manufacturer focusing its attention almost exclusively on production-derived machines. However, before explaining more about the importance of Paul Smart, Imola and the legendary “number 16 Ducati 750 Imola”, we must take a step back in time.
In 1972 Checco Costa bought the
200 Mile
formula to
Italy
and Ducati prepared eight bikes to be ridden by Paul Smart, Bruno Spaggiari, Ermanno Giuliano, and Alan Dunscombe.  The bikes had production frames and engines, but were prepared, as usual, in a very short time.  Most of this work, however, probably still goes unnoticed, as it was concerned with the smallest details: wherever possible, each part of the bike was painstakingly filed down and lightened.  In addition, new Dellorto carburetors with
40 mm
choke tubes and accelerator pumps arrived just in time, providing a perfect supply of fuel for the big twin-cylinder, which delivered 80 hp at 8,500 rpm.  At Imola, Spaggiari reached the finish line with his gas tank almost empty and so could not snatch the victory from Smart.
The Imola racers featured Ducati’s famous 4-stroke longitudinal split 90° V twin engine. The crankcase cylinder and cylinderheads were cast in light alloy; the cylinders had cast-iron liners. Bore and stroke was 80 x
74.4 mm
. Cylinder capacity was 747.95 cc. The racers had a compression ratio of 10:1. Ducati was already famous for its desmodromic single overhead camshafts, driven by bevel-gears. It was also present on the Imola racing machines. Each head had two valves. The air cooled engine featured wet sump lubrication. Two Dell’orto PHF 40 carburetors with accelerator pump fed the fuel mixture in the combustion chambers. A twin-plug contact-breaker ignition system was present. The Imola racers had a five-speed gearbox and primary drive by gears, final drive was by chain. A wet multi-plate clutch was also present. The engine delivered a power output of 82 hp at 9,000 r.p.m. Enough for a topspeed of
156.25 mph
(
250 km/h
)!
Underneath some more information on these incredible machines:
Frame - chassis: Duplex open-cradle tubular-steel frame
Front suspension: Marzocchi telescopic hydraulic front forks with raked pins
Rear suspension: Swinging-arm rear suspension with two Ceriani 310-mm shocks
Front brake: Twin 280-mm disks with Lockheed calipers
Rear brake: 229-mm disk with Lockheed caliper
Front tyre: Borrani light alloy rims, Dunlop KR Tires,
3.25
x 18
Rear tyre: Borrani light alloy rims, Dunlop KR Tires, 3.
5 x 18
Fuel tank: Fiberglass fuel tank with
24 liters
capacity
Length:
2,018 mm
Wheelbase:
1,530 mm
Rake:
60 mm
Weight:
360 pounds
(
163 kg
)
This is a very nice
non period
photo that reflects the most historic racing victory by Ducati, it definitely is a classic shot. It is rare to obtain a photo like this, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of approx. 7.7" x 11" (19.
5 x 28
cm). It is great the way it is, and would look gorgeous when framed.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.