When the legendary Saltarelli Collection is put up for sale by RM Auctions on 11 May next year at the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, it will be one of the largest private collections of Ducati motorcycles ever offered at auction. Enticingly, the entire 100-bike collection will be sold ‘without reserve’.

The collection spans the history of the marque, both road-going and racing machines, all carefully selected over the past 30 years by lifelong enthusiast Carlo Saltarelli – himself an ex-Ducati factory test rider and racer, and the owner of a Ducati dealership. Among the highlights of this remarkable sale is the ex-works 1972 Ducati 750SS 200 Miles Imola Racer, known as the ‘Green Frame’ and built as a reserve bike for the world-famous 200 Miles of Imola race (its sister bike won that year). The estimate is 150,000 – 200,000 euros.

There’s also a 1990 Ducati 888 SBK (estimate: 80,000 – 100,000 euros) and a 1974 Ducati 750SS Racer Number 23, claiming an illustrious racing history that includes a number of victories and podiums in 1974 and 1975, often in the hands of Carlo Saltarelli himself (estimate: 40,000 – 60,000 euros).

For more details of the Saltarelli Ducati Collection, to be offered ‘without reserve’, see www.rmauctions.com.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: RM Auctions