Fabio Taglioni, founder of Ducati’s trademark desmodromic valve system, produced in 1955 what is considered to be the company’s first race bike, the 100cc Marianna. The third iteration of the Marianna was christened the Formula 3, and, in 1958, only 40 Formula 3 factory production racers were made. While most were sold in their native Italy, a few made their way to Britain, and even fewer were imported to the United States.
American collector Guy Webster’s restored Formula 3 captures the full stride of Ducati’s racing philosophy as expressed in a street motorcycle. Formula 3s came equipped with a bump saddle seat, clip-ons, and number plates ready for on-track application. Race functionality extended to the bike’s sand cast aluminum engine cases, straight cut gears, megaphone exhaust, and scooped Amadoro brakes.
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