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6 of 48 lots
Lot 6
1991 Ducati 851 SP3
Estimate:
£15,000 - £25,000
Starting bid:
£25
Sold for
£8,000
Live Auction
London Auction 2023
Description
Without Reserve

Chassis: Frame No. ZDM888S*000744*

No. 245 of Just 500 Examples Built
Widely Regarded to Be the Best 851 Variant
Received Servicing by Specialists RPM Bikes and Moto Rapido Ducati
Less than 12,500 Km at the Time of Cataloguing
Unrestored, Low-Mileage Example of an Influential Modern Ducati

888 CC DOHC Air-Cooled L-Twin 4-Stroke Engine
Weber Electronic Fuel Injection
118 BHP at 10,500 RPM
6-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front and Rear Disc Brakes
Front Telescopic Fork Suspension
Rear Swing-Arm Suspension with Adjustable Monoshock

*
UK V5
See UK Registration/Import Status Guide in catalogue.


The Ducati 851 was the successor to the 750 F1 and ushered in a new era for the company. The 851 was a huge leap forward and became the blueprint for decades of Ducati super bikes to come, featuring a new trellis frame, four-valve heads, liquid cooling, fuel injection, and a dry clutch. Throughout the bike’s production, Ducati released seven “Special Production” models for homologation purposes. The SP3 retained several key features from the SP2 – the 888 cc engine, close-ratio gearbox, Öhlins suspension, and Brembo brakes, but was upgraded with a carbon fiber front fender, remote master cylinders, and stronger clutch.

This lovely example is no. 245 of the 500 SP3s built and was purchased by the consignor in 2015 from Iain Rhodes at RPM Bikes in Northampton, UK. Since the bike had been in static storage in original family ownership before the consignor acquired it, the SP3 was promptly given to Mr. Rhodes for service. Over £3,000 was spent during this process. More recently, in 2021, the consignor brought the Ducati to Moto Rapido Ducati of Winchester, UK, where its belts were serviced, and the bike has covered about 300 km since. Today the Ducati remains highly original, showing less than 12,500 km at the time of cataloguing. The 851 SP3 is considered by many to be the best 851 variant, and this example, with its low mileage, originality, and documented service history is a rare find for the discerning collector.