Ducati 100 Sport

Designed by Fabio Taglioni, the first Ducati overhead-camshaft single - the 100 Gran Sport - appeared on the racetrack in 1954 and soon proved unbeatable in its class. Taglioni's versatile design proved capable of considerable enlargement, being produced in various capacities from the original 98cc up to 450cc. The 175cc class was popular in Continental Europe, and one that Ducati could not afford to ignore. A pair of 175cc roadsters was introduced for the 1956 season, the Sport version of which (known as the 'Silverstone' in the UK) was capable of more than 80mph in road trim and close to the 'ton' when stripped for racing, an astonishing achievement at the time and one that helped establish the giant killing reputation long enjoyed by Ducati's miniature masterpieces. Ducati's 175s were immediately successful, prompting an expansion of the overhead-camshaft line-up over the next few years, starting with 125cc and 100cc Sport models.

The extraordinary sporting and commercial success of the 175 pushed Ducati to begin a frantic evolution of SOHC formula in mind: models for tourism, sports, off-road and even a custom, complete with handlebar horns of an ox, for the American market. It was also expanded the range of engine sizes. In 1958 they entered traded the 125 Sport and 100 Sport. The engine differed from that of 175 in a series of details; for example the oil pan had a more linear form and without fins and its capacity was reduced to 2.1 liters. 125 and 100 were visually almost identical, except in the early models for the frame of the lighthouse, with a peak on the 125 and smooth for the 100. It should be noted that the differences were often due to hasty preparations before the official presentation and mania, typical of those years, to retouch photos of models to present them in the best possible way.

The 100 was appreciated in Italy, but found few admirers abroad where it was preferred the most powerful (10 hp at 8,500 r / min.) And fast (112 km / h) eighth of a liter. Eventually in 1960 it was decided to suspend production of the 100 Sport, while the 125 continued to be made until 1965.