Much like its cars, Italy’s motorcycles have always leaned towards more sporting orientations – so perhaps that’s why they have become so popular in the ever-growing café racer scene. The progression from Italian sports bike to Italian café racer has been a natural one, and it’s a phenomenon that’s swept the world.
The most prestigious Classic Car Auction in Australia, held annually at the Motorclassica Classic Car Show in Melbourne. Star lots include a 1937 BMW 327 Cabriolet, an historic Victor motorcycle, a 1936 Cord Sportsman, A 1956 Porsche 356A Speedster, a 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce, and a 1969 Ferrari "410 GTC Speciale".
Viewing is available during the show.
For more details see our website www.theodorebruceauctions.com.au, or contact our Cars Secialist James Nicholls on +61 409 327 220 or e-mail cars@theodorebruceauctions.com.au
Back in the 1930s, Norton’s racing engineer began developing a single-cylinder motorcycle, one that would go on to become forever linked with Isle of Man TT and the Manx Grand Prix due to its popularity with competitors. The ‘Manx’ name was applied to the company’s post-War racing model, which flourished in the hands of both factory and privateer riders. But by 1969, its once-pioneering technology was seen as somewhat antiquated, and then-owner Colin Seeley sold the name and technology rights to his friend, John Tickle.
Taking inspiration from both comtemporary customs and the original Scramblers of the 1960s and 1970s, the 2015 Ducati Scrambler will go on sale in early 2015.
The stunning Italian machine pays homage to the bikes that were built and raced by Paton in Milan in the 1960s and 1970s. However, racing proved too costly, and in the following decades the company resorted to building replicas of its iconic machines for private customers involved in historic motorsport.
If you’re a keen biker with a taste for retro style, you might well have heard of Filippo Barbacane, the multi-talented founder of Italian bike customiser Officine Rossopuro. He’s built up a reputation in custom bike circles for producing commissions of the highest order, but this one’s a little different. With no specific end customer in mind, Barbacane had a blank canvas on which to express his creative thoughts.
Often in such situations, many months (and sometimes years) go past before schemes turn from proposal to reality, so it was a pleasant surprise when Classic Driver was offered a test ride on the first, completed Hesketh 24 last week.
Sleeman and his team have so far received seven firm orders and will begin building the first of the 24 production machines in time for late-December delivery, but the opportunity to get a ride in before the grim English winter descends was not to be missed - especially since we were blessed with idyllic biking weather on the day in question.