A Ducatisti History of Ducati

[Dan]

Okay, now I'm no historian.... however I've added the list of dates below as on ongoing task for anybody to contribute to. So if you know something significant about Ducati history or you see something listed that needs correction then post a reply and I'll update the list. Hopefully we'll end up with a bullet pointed historical reference for everybody to enjoy and learn from.

Cheers
Dan
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A Ducatisti History of Ducati


1926
The brothers Adriano and Marcello Ducati founded Societa Scientifica Tadiobrevetti Ducati, a company in Bologna specializing in the production of tubes, condensers and other radio components.

1940
By 1940, the company had specialized in the manufacture of electronic military equipment, making it a prime target for Allied bombing raids.

1946
- Ducati introduces a 4-stroke 48cc clip-on engine for bicycles, the "Cucciolo" or "pup" in Italian.

1950
- With 200,000 Cucciolo's already sold, Ducati then offered a complete 60cc motorcycle based on the successful little pullrod engine. Weighing 98 pounds, with a top speed of 40mph. It's 15 mm carburator got just under 200 mpg. Ducati dropped the "Cucciolo" name, replacing it with "55M" or "65TL".

1952
- At the Milan Show, Ducati introduced the Ducati 65 TS cycle
- The Ducati Cruiser scooter was first released at the Milan Show in January 1952. Only a 1000 were made and production was stopped two years later.

1953
- In 1953, Ducati management decided to split its operations into two separate enterprises. Ducati Meccanica SpA, the present-day motorcycle manufacturer, and Ducati Elettronica SpA which went on its own way under separate management. Dr. Guiseppe Montano took over as head of the new bike company and the Borgo Panigale factory was modernized, with the help of government funds.

1954
- Ingegnere Fabio Taglioni starts work at Ducati.
- By 1954, Ducati Meccanica SpA was producing 120 bikes a day.

1955
- The Tagioni designed 100cc single-cylinder Gran Sport is intoduced and wins numerous long-distance events.

1956
- Ducati introduces the desmodromic engine.
- The 125cc factory GP racer is ridden by Gianni degli Antoni and wins the Swedish GP at Hedemora, it's first race. However Gianni degli Antoni, died during the practice for the next race, the Italian GP of Monza, which dealt a severe blow to the Ducati racing program.

1957
The Berliner Brothers, took on the US Ducati franchise and brought an american-style flair to the company.

1961
- The first street-legal Ducati 250 made its debut at the Milan Fair in April.

1963
- Ducati introduced the Diana Mark 3 Super Sport which turned out to be the fastest 250 street bike in the world.
- Ducati V4 Apollo was unveiled.

1965
- Ducati Meccanica SpA was the Italian distributor for standard-triumph cars and leyland vans and trucks.

1966
- The Mach 1 comes off the Ducati assembly line!

1970
- Ducati builds it's first V-twin engine, the 90 degree 750 GT, with bevel-drive cams.

1972
- Ducati introduces the V-twin desmo, the 750 SuperSport. Bikes ridden by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari take 1st and 2nd in the 750SS debut.

1978
- The famous Pantah engine is introduced. This 500cc desmo V-twin engine, designed by Fabio Taglioni (1920-2001), features belt driven cams. The "rubber band" engine is the foundation of a new line of V-twins from Ducati.
- Ing. Massimo Bordi is hired by Ducati.
- Ducati 900SS appears in black & gold paint.
- Mike Hailwood returns from retirement to race a 900 SS and wins the Isle of Man.

1979
- Last 750SS with Borani rims…..Darmah SS appears….first production MHR appears at London Show.

1980
- Ducati releases Pantah 500SL

1981
- 600TL Pantah debuts at the Milan Show.

1982
- Ing. Taglioni retires after a fabulous career.
- Factory TT2 wins every round of Italian TT2 championship
- Tony Rutter wins the 1982 TT2 title on a Ducati TT2

1983
- Final 600SL Pantah gets MHR colours.

1984
- Tony Rutter finished 3rd on TTF1 at the Isle of Man.

1985
- On May 1st Cagiva buys Ducati. The Castiglioni brothers take control.
- A Ducati styling and chassis research center was created in Rimini.

1986
- The Paso 750 is introduced. Styled by Massimo Tamburini and designed by Bordi it receives many awards for its revolutionary appearance.
- Virginio Ferrari wins the Italian Formula 1 championship on a factory TT1.

1987
- The hot 851 with Ducati's first 4-valve desmo engine is introduced. Ing. Bordi's new engine also features fuel injection and water cooling.
- 851 creates a sensation at Daytona by matching the speed of the Japanese 4 cylinder bikes.

1988
- Ducati release limited edition 750F1 Santa Monica, named after the circuit at Misano….also the 851 goes tricolour.
- In the 851's debut Superbike World Championship race, Marco Lucchinelli finishes second.

1989
- Massimo Bordi creates two distinct production lines at Ducati – new technology 851 series backed up by World Super Bikes, and refinement of the F2 Pantah.
- Riding a Ducati, Raymond Roche takes second place in the Superbike World Championship.

1990
- Riding a Ducati, Raymond Roche wins the Superbike World Championship.
- Ducati introduce the 900 SS, a 904 cc version of the 750 Sport.
- Paso 907ie appears at Cologne Motorcycle Show.

1991
- Riding a Ducati, Doug Polen wins the Superbike World Championship on a 888.

1992
- Riding a Ducati, Doug Polen wins the Superbike World Championship.

1993
- Riding a Ducati, Carl Fogarty takes second place in the Superbike World Championship.
- Ducati puts the Supermono into limited production.
- Miguel Angel Galuzzi designed the Ducati Monster.
- Riding a Ducati, Doug Polen wins the AMA Superbike Championship.

1994
- Ducati introduce the 916 model designed by Massimo Tamburini.
- Carl Fogarty wins the Superbike World Championship on a 916.
- Troy Corser won the AMA title on a Ducati in his first year.

1995
- Riding a Ducati, Carl Fogarty wins the Superbike World Championship on a 916/955.

1996
- The Castiglioni brothers sell 51% of Ducati for for $325 million to the Texas Pacific Group. But they keep the option to buy back 2%. The company is renamed Ducati Motor SpA.
- Ducati introduces Sports Touring series.
- Riding a Ducati, Troy Corser wins the Superbike World Championship.
- Troy Corser wins the Superbike World Championship for Ducati.

1998
- Carl Fogarty wins Superbike Championship on a Ducati.

1999
- The 916 was replaced by the 996
- Carl Fogarty wins Superbike Championship on a Ducati.
- Troy Bayliss wins the British Superbike Championship for Ducati

2000
- Neil Hodgson wins the British Superbike Championship for Ducati

2001
- The Testastretta (narrow head) motor made its debut. Displacing 998cc, the new engine had a larger bore and shorter stroke combined with less included valve angle and redesigned rockers for less stress at high RPM's. It developed 174hp at 12,000 RPM
- Superbike Championship won by Troy Bayliss on a Ducati.
- John Reynolds wins the British Superbike Championship for Ducati

2002
- Steve Hislop wins the British Superbike Championship for Ducati

2003
- The 998 was replaced by the 999 in 2003
- Superbike Championship won by Neil Hodgson on a Ducati.
- Shakey Byne winning BSB for Monster Mob Ducati

2004
- James Toseland wins the WSB Championship for Ducati

2005
- Greg Lavilla wins the British Superbike Championship for Ducati

2006
- Troy Bayliss wins the WSB Championship for Ducati
- Ducati unveil the Ducati Desmosedici RR on June 1st.

2008
- Troy Bayliss wins the WSB Championship for Ducati
- Shane Byrne wins the British Superbike Championship for Ducati - hopefully!

[Dan]

Come on people get your thinking caps on! Eight months and no replies to this thread..... :wink:

[DrBob]

Originally Posted by Dan

1974-82
Ducati builds vertical twins. These are never accepted by the Ducatisti.

Parallel twins. :wink:

The racing effort during the 80's seems to be missing, Tony Rutter and the Tricolour 851 where first substantial in the history of Ducati. The Supermono aswell.

Troy Corser also won the 1994 AMA title on a Ducati in his first year.

[Dan]

Thanks Bob, just removed the whole 1974-82 listing as it's too generic for my liking and miss-typed it would appear.

Originally Posted by DrBob

The racing effort during the 80's seems to be missing, Tony Rutter and the Tricolour 851 where first substantial in the history of Ducati. The Supermono aswell.

Who, when, on what and which year!

[DrBob]

Tony Rutter won the 1982 TT2 title and raced the bike from 1981 to 1989. I just found this site from Yahoo has some info as far as the 80's go.
http://www.cddc.org.au/cddchistory.htm

Also the V4 Apollo was unveiled in 1963.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by DrBob

Tony Rutter won the 1982 TT2 title

On What?

Cool site, might have to 'research' some details! :wink:

[DrBob]

The Ducati TT2, sorry mate.

[Dan]

Does anybody wish to elaborate on the 749/999 introduction?

[DrBob]

Originally Posted by Dan

Does anybody wish to elaborate on the 749/999 introduction?

The first concept bike was first shown in 1999 I think.

[Dan]

Looks like it's just you and me with any interest in this thread DrBob.....

[Mini Mo]

I've got the history of Ducati sitting on my book shelf, signed by Troy Bayliss and Lanzi no less, which I will have to read first before contributing to this thread

[MarkST]

Originally Posted by Mini Mo

I've got the history of Ducati sitting on my book shelf, signed by Troy Bayliss and Lanzi no less, which I will have to read first before contributing to this thread

You read that book yet Mini Mo ?

[Steve]

Wikipedia

[royum]

Originally Posted by Dan

Looks like it's just you and me with any interest in this thread DrBob.....

Dan still reading my history, thought I'd leave the commentary to you guys already in the know. :wink:

[rikok]

2002: Rik picks up his first Ducati...