Lot 175: c.1956 Ducati 49cc Cucciolo

The fuel crisis of the 1950s resulted in greatly increased sales of economical two-wheelers and the return of the ‘clip-on’ engine, easily attached to a bicycle without registration formalities (except, naturally, in the UK where the full formality of the law was deployed.) Mostly these were cheap and cheerful two-strokes of variable quality. Ducati, however, in their first attempt at two-wheeler design, produced the finest of them all, a pull-rod operated, 39 x 40 mm four-stroke single, which outclassed the rest and then some. This most desirable example, mounted in a roadworthy ladies bicycle, is complete with the, now unobtainable, internally-toothed chain-wheel, in good condition requiring gentle re-commissioning from a Ducati or Cyclemotor enthusiast.