Inspired by Mike Hailwood’s fairytale comeback victory aboard a Sports Motorcycles-entered Ducati in the 1978 Isle of Man Formula 1 TT, the MH900e (Mike Hailwood 900 evoluzione) was first seen in ‘concept bike’ form at the 1998 Munich Show. The work of Ducati’s design boss, Pierre Térreblanche, it was a personal project never intended for production but such was the response that Ducati went ahead anyway and announced a limited run of only 2,000 machines, to be sold over the Internet. Combining styling elements of the Multistrada and 900SS, the MH900e deployed the fuel-injected v-twin engine from the M900 Monster in a trademark trellis frame equipped with matching single-sided swinging arm. In fact, identifiable similarities between Hailwood’s TT-winning bike and the MH900e were notable by their almost total absence, being limited to a finned sump mimicking the old bevel-drive motors. Or as Bike put it: ‘Retro meets funk in race-rep fashion statement.’ Britain’s premier motorcycle journal was correct: rather than as an exercise in nostalgia, the MH900e worked far better when assessed as a design in its own right. Its intended market certainly thought highly of the concept, snapping up the entire production run within a matter of hours and thereby creating an instantly collectible classic. Given the MH900e’s ‘work of art’ status, it is not surprising that most have been used sparingly and this example - number ‘1707’ of the series - has covered only 1,419 miles from new. Supplied via marque specialists Pro-Twins of Godstone, Surrey, it was returned to them after a few hundred miles to be upgraded with a host of official factory accessories including a Termignoni full titanium exhaust system; Öhlins shock absorber; semi-open belt and clutch covers; drilled handlebar control levers; chromed mirrors and valve covers; stainless steel clutch springs, etc. All the original parts are included in the sale together with other valuable MH900e accessories (full itemised list available). In addition, ‘1707’ comes with a new, unused and boxed MH900e T-shirt, individually numbered; presentation box and plaque for ‘1707’; workshop manual; original factory MH900e cover, boxed; accessories brochure; original tool kit/pouch; service booklet and owner’s handbook; spare keys; Spyball alarm fobs and instructions; the original despatch crate cover with MH900e logo and serial number; MH900e magazine features and poster; and a rear wheel paddock stand. Accompanying documentation consists of factory correspondence, expired MoTs (most recent 2007-2008), SORN declarations and Swansea V5C registration document. Kept garaged since last used in 2008, this exceptionally well specified and fully documented MH900e is a collectors’ dream and surely a ‘Blue Chip’ investment for the future.
Inspired by Mike Hailwood’s fairytale comeback victory aboard a Sports Motorcycles-entered Ducati in the 1978 Isle of Man Formula 1 TT, the MH900e (Mike Hailwood 900 evoluzione) was first seen in ‘concept bike’ form at the 1998 Munich Show. The work of Ducati’s design boss, Pierre Térreblanche, it was a personal project never intended for production but such was the response that Ducati went ahead anyway and announced a limited run of only 2,000 machines, to be sold over the Internet. Combining styling elements of the Multistrada and 900SS, the MH900e deployed the fuel-injected v-twin engine from the M900 Monster in a trademark trellis frame equipped with matching single-sided swinging arm. In fact, identifiable similarities between Hailwood’s TT-winning bike and the MH900e were notable by their almost total absence, being limited to a finned sump mimicking the old bevel-drive motors. Or as Bike put it: ‘Retro meets funk in race-rep fashion statement.’ Britain’s premier motorcycle journal was correct: rather than as an exercise in nostalgia, the MH900e worked far better when assessed as a design in its own right. Its intended market certainly thought highly of the concept, snapping up the entire production run within a matter of hours and thereby creating an instantly collectible classic. Given the MH900e’s ‘work of art’ status, it is not surprising that most have been used sparingly and this example - number ‘1707’ of the series - has covered only 1,419 miles from new. Supplied via marque specialists Pro-Twins of Godstone, Surrey, it was returned to them after a few hundred miles to be upgraded with a host of official factory accessories including a Termignoni full titanium exhaust system; Öhlins shock absorber; semi-open belt and clutch covers; drilled handlebar control levers; chromed mirrors and valve covers; stainless steel clutch springs, etc. All the original parts are included in the sale together with other valuable MH900e accessories (full itemised list available). In addition, ‘1707’ comes with a new, unused and boxed MH900e T-shirt, individually numbered; presentation box and plaque for ‘1707’; workshop manual; original factory MH900e cover, boxed; accessories brochure; original tool kit/pouch; service booklet and owner’s handbook; spare keys; Spyball alarm fobs and instructions; the original despatch crate cover with MH900e logo and serial number; MH900e magazine features and poster; and a rear wheel paddock stand. Accompanying documentation consists of factory correspondence, expired MoTs (most recent 2007-2008), SORN declarations and Swansea V5C registration document. Kept garaged since last used in 2008, this exceptionally well specified and fully documented MH900e is a collectors’ dream and surely a ‘Blue Chip’ investment for the future.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
