Ducati Apollo

The 1964 Ducati Berliner 1260 Apollo, usually called the Ducati Apollo, was a prototype motorcycle with a 1,257 cc V4 engine producing 100 bhp and capable of over 120 mph, about 190 km/h. It was never put into production, but it did influence the production Ducatis that followed. Ducati and its United States distributor, the Berliner Motor Corporation, faced declining sales of small single-cylinder models and sought a bike to rival Harley-Davidson, with Berliner keen on police motorcycle contracts as well as a civilian tourer. Fabio Taglioni chose an air-cooled 90 degree two-valve V4 with pushrods, a five-speed gearbox and chain final drive. Tyres failed under the power, so the engine was detuned from 100 to 80 and then 65 bhp. Ducati was to build two prototypes, and today only one survives.