Ducati celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and, as part of their centenary activities, they’re playing the heritage card with a new limited edition café racer, bringing a style inspired by one of its most famous models.
The Bologna manufacturer has produced many iconic models over the years, including the 916 and the 900 SS Mike Hailwood Replica, but probably the most important motorcycle in terms of establishing Ducati as a sporting brand was 1973’s Super Sport 750 – and it’s this machine that the Formula 73 pays tribute to.
The history of that original 750SS traces back to 1972, when Ducati entered a fleet of racers in the prestigious Imola 200 race. These bikes featured a new, L-twin engine featuring desmodromically operated valves and proved unstoppable in the hands of British racer Paul Smart.
Launched to the public a year later, the Super Sport 750 Desmo was a near replica of the race bikes and created the blue print for sporting Ducatis that continues today. Originals are among the most sought after classic motorcycles around and can command six figure sums at auction.
Ducati says that it will build 873 examples of the £15k Formula 73, which shares its underpinnings with the popular Scrambler series. The characterful 803cc ‘Desmodue’ engine is one of the last remaining old school air-cooled motors on sale today, but still pumps out a soulful 73bhp in Euro5+ trim. With its unique 90-degree ‘L’ twin configuration and the traditional desmo valves, the engine stays true to the 1970s originals and should give the Formula 73 a character to go with its looks.
The Formula 73’s chassis appears to be a modified version of the one found on the Scrambler, reworked to create a gorgeous replica of the iconic ‘green frame’ 750 Super Sport. Ducati describes the result as an ‘urban café racer’, and it’s obvious that the Ducati Style Centre has clearly gone to town in its quest to create a unique motorcycle.
The silver and aqua green livery replicates the original, while the attention to detail extends to the gold stripe on the fuel tank – echoing the transparent section of the tanks on the race bikes, which was left unpainted so mechanics could quickly check the fuel level. Ducati says that its design team has trawled through the company’s archives to add as much historically correct detail as possible to the Formula 73 and, dare we say, the results look stunning.
Italian custom parts maker Rizoma has provided some of the special components for the Formula 73, and there are a host of beautifully machined billet aluminum parts, including the footpegs, levers and fuel cap, but it’s the bodywork which really catches the eye. The half fairing and short tail unit really look the part, and are set off with period Ducati logos and low clip-on handlebars with bar end mirrors.
Despite its traditional looks and design philosophy, the Formula 73 is packed with technology. The electronics package includes Ducati’s sophisticated cornering optimised traction control and ABS, a standard quickshifter and two riding modes.
The Termignoni silencer has been styled especially for the bike and should add a bit of additional bark to the Desmodue’s already pretty fruity soundtrack. Cycle parts are also right what you’d expect from a modern day motorcycle, with the 17” spoked wheels shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber and braking coming from Brembo. With a wet weight of just 183kg, the Formula 73 should be a manageable yet lively performer.
It’s 20 years since Ducati launched its short-lived SportClassic range, a series of bikes inspired by the same 1970s period. Those models ultimately proved to be a sales flop, arguably being ahead of their time and confusing buyers who hadn’t yet caught on to the charms of modern bikes which looked old, but it’s hard to see the Formula 73 being caught up in the same trap.
The limited nature of the run means they’re likely to be highly coveted by collectors and Ducati appears to be recognising this with the package included with the bike. They’ll be delivered in special crates, while each bike will be numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Ducati Style Centre have also curated a collection of sketches and some of the period photographs used to inspire the design, and these are also presented as part of the Formula 73 package.
Ducati says they’ll start arriving in the showrooms in the spring, but you’ll be able to place an order now. There’s also an accompanying riding jacket and a matching Arai helmet, which Ducati expects to be snapped up by collectors too.
