Ducati Muletto

Ducati Muletto

Ducati is not renowned for making practical vehicles, with the possible exception of the Multistrada. But in the 1950s, the Bologna company aped its rival Piaggio by making three-wheeled utility vehicles. There was a tiny 48cc 2-stroke called the Fattorino, and then the bigger Muletto. The engines were based on Ducati’s OHC singles, and you could choose from a 175 or a 200 (as shown here). You got a 350 kg carrying capacity and a top speed of around 60 kph, and different coachwork was available with open and enclosed cabs. The red stripe, by the way, was a legal requirement in Italy. It meant that the vehicle was trasporto conto terzi—registered to transport goods belonging to third parties. Over half a century later, the Muletto stills looks stylish and practical—and if this one was mine, I’d be tempted to drop in a 696 Desmo motor. That might cut down delivery times a little.

Images courtesy of Phil Aynsley. His book Ducati: A Photographic Tribute is available from Amazon.