‘The Gran Sport, particularly in 100 and 125cc versions, was incredibly successful between 1955 and 1958, and even after it was replaced by the F3 many riders in Italy continued to campaign the Gran Sport. As it was hand-built and produced in very small numbers for Italian racing, the Gran Sport is rarely seen today outside Italy.’ – Ian Falloon, ‘Standard Catalog of Ducati Motorcycles’.
Designed by newly arrived engineer, Fabio Taglioni, formerly with Mondial, Ducati’s first overhead-camshaft single – the 100 Gran Sport, nicknamed ‘Marianna’ – appeared on the racetrack in 1955. The existing 98cc overhead-valve engine had reached the limit of its development, at least as far as racing was concerned, hence the need for a design with greater potential. The Gran Sport’s overhead cam was driven by a vertical shaft and bevel gears, and this method was carried over to Ducati’s twin-cam (bialbero) and triple-cam (trialbero) racers, the latter featuring Taglioni’s famous ‘desmodromic’ method of valve actuation that dispensed with springs. Incorporating a four-speed gearbox, the Gran Sport engine was carried in a simple single-downtube frame and acted as a stressed member.
Apart from the Italian Grand Prix, the most important motorcycle races in Italy at this time were the long-distance events, held on public roads, such at the Moto Giro d’Italia and Milan-Taranto. Hence, even competition-orientated models like the Marianna had to have lights and a horn, as required by the FMI (Italian Motorcycle federation) regulations. Almost all the Italian manufacturers contested these events, victory bringing with it much valuable publicity. Ducati’s overhead-valve racers had been outclassed by the Laverdas in 1954, but from the time of its arrival the Marianna proved unbeatable in its class.
This 1956 Ducati was originally owned by Italo Piana, who was born in 1930 and raced motorcycles from 1950 to 1970. He won The Italian Championship three times in 50cc, 125cc, and 175cc classes. He was already a factory pilot for Rumi, Laverda and eventually for Ducati, with which he set 56 worlds records in speed oval at Monza in 1956 on board of a Ducati 100c Gran Sport.
This Ducati was liberated from Ital’s private collection. He rode it in circuit races and point to point races until 1957, when the FMI regulations outlawed the full fairing from racing. He then rode it as a privateer in road races in Turin and Cuneo, and on tracks like Monza as a trainer bike to protect his factory Ducati 125 “Marianna”.
This machine achieved some impressive results:
9th at Monza in 1962
7th at Imola 1961
1st at Chivasso-Castagneto
2nd at Cuneo Circuit
3rd at Gallarate Circuit
4th at Alessandria Circuit in 1958
1st at Trento – Bondone race
8th at S. Remo Ospedaletti Circuit in 1963
7th at Torino Circuit in 1956
Engine no. 251258
Location: Ventura, California
SOLD
