We’ve all heard the stories about cool projects that start with a sketch on a cocktail napkin, well here’s a model of a Ducati powered car that started at a Tamiya model club meeting in southern California. Dale King picked up a few incomplete Ducati kits to see what he could put together. He carved a body, scratch built the suspension and came up with a nicely designed Ducati powered hot rod that looks like it could be turned into the real thing if someone were so inclined. After seeing the Kawasaki powered street racer recently, this provides a little European powered counterpoint.
Thanks for the link, Doug!
Link: Duc Rod
Related: Motorcycle Powered Cars
Duke says
I’ve said it before. Wrong kind of tires for lateral forces… However, a v-twin car would be bad ass.
Alejandro says
It looks interesting, but I agree with Duke, the last thing you want on a car like this is a small traction patch. Reminds me of the same mistake the Sub-3 Wheeler trike made.
hoyt says
alright, we now have the makings for a fantastic event.
DP1 Hayabusa v8 (slight advantage with the V8 :))
Light Car Company
Duc Rod
etc.
Put all of these builders together at Barber & enjoy the sites & sounds….followed by the encore event of a comparison of Big Twin sportbikes
kneeslider says
It’s just a model so don’t be too hard on him for the tires he used, that would be easy to change. The wheels and tires used on the Light Car Company Rocket would do fine and it would look very similar.
There are some really cool m/c powered cars turning up, old, new and models like this one. So many machines, … so little time.
360Scott360 says
Nice work Dale! I really like the way you used Ducati styling where you could. Much more areodynamic looking than other attempts I have seen. My only regret is that it was not painted Ducati Red!
Bryce says
Someone select different wheels and build it in full scale.
chris says
best looking motorcycle powered car i’ve ever seen. i’ve been thinking lately why auto manufacturers don’t fool around with the idea of V-4s or twin cylinder powerplants. it seems that with the move to smaller more efficient cars that an HD style v-twin (with liquid cooling) would make a sweet little rumbly – yet gas consumption freindly – hot rod. maybe i’m just too optimistic.
Sean says
If it tilted, then I would be sold.
hoyt says
tilting on a 4 wheel probably is not as responsive as a traditional race chassis since it would put a lot of mass in motion instead of staying planted through switchbacks….that is, watch open-wheeled cars today (IRL or F1) through the corners. They barely move off of their axis
coho says
I bet it sounds extremely cool. Both out the pipe and that unique desmo sound right behind your head.
Sure, the tires should be square-profile, but the green-on-green paint job (while more Kawi than Duc) is stealthy and flashy at the same time (not easy).
It does strike me that a roll bar might come in handy at some point, but – as Paul said – it is just a model.
coho says
PS. Is that fourth wheel strictly necessary?
Sean says
True, it wouldn’t hold much benefit and would probably result in a little detriment. But wouldn’t it be cool?
M. Baker says
I thought Ducatis worked well mostly because they’re light, unlike a car. Should give a good bum massage though
charmy says
bul-cati what? (if he was alive) if enough jap idea haven’t changed the duc,
My love for the cat is its ability to meand with the rider.
its fast outa corners its smooth until you cry city.
its handles the greenest corners too what you can afford..
it takes the trump’s and makes the nortons wish.
If you want a mozzie bike buy honda.. Duc’s are a man’s bike!
modern duc’s do what we couldn’t, look like a twin look a like.
sorry fellas. i love me duc. she,s a bitch but hey, its just me and her.