2000 DUCATI MH900e PROTOTYPE

This Ducati MH900e Prototype is the original factory-built precursor to the limited production run of just 2,000 bikes, and bears the chassis number 000001. It is a one-of-a-kind collector motorcycle that is ideal for displaying among other Ducatis, or taking to national or international shows. It has zero miles on the odometer, and has never been registered or ridden.

A retro-styled sports bike, the MH900e - denoting ‘Evolution’ - was conceived by Ducati designer Pierre Terblanche as a modern tribute to Mike Hailwood’s Isle of Man Tourist Trophy winning 900SS. After an initial concept sketch was revealed in 1998, Federico Minoli and Massimo Bordi (the General Manager of Ducati) realised there was serious demand for such a product, and so decided to put a limited run of 2,000 into production.

Powered by a 904cc air-cooled desmodromic V-twin producing around 74hp, and coupled to a six-speed transmission, the MH900e is a contemporary machine with a classic-inspired design.

This particular bike - which is chassis number 000001 and has a plaque showing ‘0000 of 2000’ on the tank - was the first built by Ducati, and is understood to have been used as the control vehicle for all assemblies and components, to sign off production parts as well as functional elements of the bike. It has been owned by the vendor for the last year, and currently resides in France.

In total, 2,000 examples of the production version of the MH900e were built - with the first 1,000 being sold out within 31 minutes of going on sale on Ducati’s website. While the production examples are highly collectable in their own right, this particular bike is a genuine one-off, which includes several unique features.

The battery-holding frame is different to the final production design, while the front fairing frame is also bespoke to this bike. It was acquired directly from Ducati, and at that time was clothed in a non-production plastic body painted in flat black - as was the frame and swingarm. Since then, it has been enhanced with genuine Ducati Performance carbon-fibre body parts, but the original parts were retained. Other unique elements - such as the top fork ‘tee’ that was left in bare metal rather than smoothed and polished - were kept on the bike to show the special provenance.

Removing the tank cover reveals that the fuel tank itself is handwritten with signatures and dates, showing various stages of testing and different phases of assembly. The exhaust was also evidently custom-made, appearing to be a try-out for the production version, and works perfectly.

The vendor is keen to stress that the bike is fully authenticated, down to the pre-production frame and swingarm, showing the ZDM homologation number stamped on the neck, and with the serial number being 000001. It is documented with an ‘ex works’ invoice from Ducati, as well as a declaration confirming the pre-production prototype status, signed by the Director of Operations for Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.

The bike remains in outstanding condition, having never been ridden, and having been kept in secure dry storage. It has only ever been on static display in a collection, but the vendor reports that everything works as it should. Accompanying the bike is an original MH900e handbook and workshop manual, plus a full set of keys.

This Ducati MH900e Prototype represents a remarkable opportunity to acquire an ex-works pre-production model with undisputed provenance. As serial number 000001, it is the genesis point of the limited-edition MH900e, and as such is certain to be a tempting prospect for any serious Ducati collector.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history where available. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

As this bike is not UK-registered, it cannot be run through Collecting Cars’ standard online HPI check process.