The Ducati bug had bitten (see earlier F1 posting) and I was now a big fan of the marque. Unbeknown to me this period of time (the mid-'80s) was a stepping stone between the old Ducati company and the new (post-Cagiva investment). Also at this time, the engineering designer Tamburini joined Ducati - he later would design the iconic 916. And, at around this time, Ducati launched the Paso with its enclosed bodywork. Somewhat surprisingly, I reckoned this was a great looker, so I stupidly sold the F1 and nipped down to the Ducati dealership at Dorking(?) where the guy who ran the place (importer - forgotten his name) luckily talked me out of the Paso and into a new limited edition model that was about to be launched by the factory in celebration of Marco Lucchinelli's victory at the Laguna Seca Daytona track 'Battle of the Twins' in 1986.
Unfortunately they didn't have one, or any photos, but I took his word for how brilliant it was and ordered one (I think that was the sequence of events, but I could be wrong - has been known). In hindsight, either he was a brilliant salesman or I was could see into the rosy future of Ducati - I think it was probably the former. He also suggested I ordered it with a Verlicchi silencer, which I did despite not knowing that it was rather decibelly. I vaguely remember he seemed disappointed on my insistence for a dual seat. Anyways, the bike duly arrived at the dealership (in 1987) and the chap rang me up and excitedly said "it's here, and it looks like an MV!"
Collected it and rode it home to Southfields, grinning like a Cheshire cat all the way. Performance-wise it seemed a bit more responsive than the F1; probably something to do with the 40mm Dell'Orto carbs (F1's were 36mm I think - could be wrong, has been known), higher compression ratio and redesigned cylinder heads with bigger valves I think (could be wrong, has been known). Loved that bike. Sold it a bit later for something sensible (doh). Can't remember what. Should have kept it mothballed and bought a Honda 50 as a runaround. Crikey, how often have I said that!
The Ducati Santamonica (see photo below), again based on the F1, was also launched in 1987. I understand this bike was exactly the same as the Laguna Seca except for the colour scheme, brakes and wheels - and it was only available as a dual seater. Like the Seca, the Santamonica is rare as hen's gnashers and so prices have climbed accordingly. A quick search of the internet shows that both bikes were going for around £18k ish a couple of years ago, but now with interest rates on savings being zilch, zero and nada, people are investing their dosh in fun stuff like watches, old cameras, classic cars and, of course, bike exotica such as Vincents etc., Ducatis included. Interestingly there's a Santamonica currently being advertised on eBay by a Sheffield classic bike dealership - 1988, just 1369 miles, asking price... £29,980!
