Beschreibung:

Although Ducati's water-cooled 8-valve v-twin had been around in its original 851 and 888 incarnations for six years and had already won four World Superbike Championships, it was the arrival of the iconic 916 for 1994 that really captured the public's imagination. Styled by Massimo Tamburini, the 916 and its subsequent evolutions established Ducati as one of the world's foremost brand names. Universally recognised as icons of automotive art, Ducati motorcycles have been exhibited in some of the world's foremost museums, including the Guggenheim in New York and the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. The original 916 Strada was superseded by the Biposto (two-seat) version and the higher-specification SP. The latter's engine remained at 916cc but added twin fuel injectors and bigger valves to the package for increased power and torque. The SP reverted to a single seat unit (with white number boards) while gaining superior Öhlins rear suspension. Next came the ultra-exclusive 916SPS derivative, of which only 400 examples were made. Despite the name, the 916SPS enjoyed the advantages of an over-bored engine displacing 996cc and delivering a mighty 132bhp at the rear wheel. The cost new was an equally staggering £18,400. Capitalising on Carl Fogarty's World Superbike Championship successes, Ducati introduced the limited edition 916SPS 'Fogarty Replica' in 1998 at the behest of UK importer Moto Cinelli. Only 202 were made, number '002' (the machine offered here) being reserved for the great man himself while '001' was retained for Ducati's museum in Bologna, with the rest going to wealthy (the list price was £20,000-plus) British enthusiasts. Like the standard 916SPS on which it was based, the 'Foggy Rep' used the 996cc motor but in a slightly higher state of tune courtesy of a full titanium exhaust system, larger airbox and altered fuel injection mapping. Other 'goodies' included lightweight Marchesini wheels, carbon-fibre seat unit, carbon swinging arm protector and colour-matched mirrors. A full racing decal set and white competition number panels completed the mouth-watering picture. '002' comes with the Ducati factory's Certificato di Autenticita plaque and another plaque, signed by Massimo Bordi and Federico Minoli, stating that it was awarded to Carl 'In recognition of your outstanding contribution to the success of Ducati'. On 25th August 1998 Carl registered '002' in his own name as 'S3 FOG', a reference to his then three WSB championships. Seven years later the 916SPS was auctioned amid considerable publicity by Motor Cycle News to launch its then new auction site on 24th June 2005. The Ducati was prepared in the Foggy Petronas WSB team workshop before Carl handed it over to its new owner (the current vendor) at the Brands Hatch round of the World Superbike Championship in 2005, at which time it had covered approximately 7 miles. The machine came with the race exhaust system and racing seat fitted, as presented today, but not the standard items. The 'S3 FOG' was registered to the new owner in Northern Ireland and MoT'd on 22nd March 2006, since when it has been kept covered in permanently dehumidified storage. In August 2009 the 916SPS was reunited with Carl at the Ulster Grand Prix meeting, completing a demonstration lap with the former World Champion riding. On completing the lap Carl commented to the owner: 'It's more powerful than I thought!' 'S3 FOG' has recorded only 26 miles from new, made up of the trip to the MoT centre and Carl's single lap of the Ulster Grand Prix circuit in August 2009, and remains exactly as received from Carl, except for a change of cam belts immediately prior to the '09 UGP. Accompanying documentation includes the original V5 registration document recording Carl Fogarty as owner; current UK V5C (NI); Vehicle Test Certificate (MoT) expired 21st March 2007; tax disc expired 31st May 2007; owner's manual, warranty booklet and world dealer guide (in original red, clear-faced bag); various we