Defiant Heritage -
When people hear the name Ducati, their minds usually race straight to the sound of roaring engines and
the adrenaline-fueled world of MotoGP. It’s a brand almost synonymous with speed, precision, and Italian passion on two wheels. Yet, tucked away in the folds of its long and fascinating history lies a story that very few remember —
a time when Ducati wasn’t just crafting superbikes,
but also experimenting with scooters and even venturing into the world of three-wheeled machines.
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The 1958 Ducati Muletto 200cc carries a single-cylinder SOHC engine so it able to make the three-wheeler to run up to 60 kph. (Picture from: GridOto)
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Back in the post-war 1950s, Italy was rebuilding itself. Roads were buzzing with new possibilities, and mobility wasn’t about luxury — it was about necessity. At that moment in history, companies like
Piaggio were thriving with their
Piaggio Ape,
a nimble three-wheeled cargo vehicle that helped small merchants move goods through narrow city streets.
Ducati, driven by the same spirit of innovation that defines its modern identity, decided to join the race — not for speed this time, but for functionality. The result was
the Ducati Muletto, a compact, hardworking tricycle that carried the heart of
Ducati engineering beneath its modest exterior.
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| The 1958 Ducati Muletto 200cc with the rear-box that can be opened on all sides, as if there is no limit to the size of the goods it can carry. (Picture from: GridOto) |
The Muletto wasn’t designed to impress with style or luxury, but rather to perform.
Built as a true cargo companion,
its boxy rear compartment could open on all sides,
creating a sense of limitless capacity. Whether transporting produce, tools, or market goods,
the Muletto handled the job with quiet determination.
Despite its small frame,
it could carry up to 350 kilograms,
an impressive feat for a vehicle of its size and era.
The single-cylinder SOHC engine may sound humble by today’s standards,
yet it allowed the Muletto to reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, making it surprisingly agile for a working-class trike.
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| The Ducati Muletto 200cc open-top version ad back in 1950s. (Picture from: OtoPlus) |
Ducati refined the concept further as time went on.
The first Muletto,
released in 1957,
came equipped with a 175 cc engine,
while a 200 cc version followed a year later, offering a bit more muscle for heavier loads. The craftsmanship was unmistakably Italian — practical, efficient, and subtly elegant in its simplicity. Even the red stripes that adorned the front and back of
the Muletto were more than decoration; they served a legal purpose, identifying the vehicle as one used for transporting third-party merchant goods under Italian traffic laws. It was a small but telling detail that blended regulation with
Ducati’s signature touch of style.
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| The Ducati Muletto's 200cc single-cylinder SOHC two-stroke engine. (Picture from: GridOto) |
The story didn’t end there.
As the 1960s arrived,
Ducati experimented once more with another three-wheeled creation —
the Ducati Fattorino.
Smaller and more playful than its predecessor,
this model featured a 50 cc two-stroke engine and embodied a lighter, more urban character.
The Fattorino became something of a cultural cameo, appearing in several Italian films of the decade, symbolizing not just practicality but also the charm of Italian life during its cinematic golden age.
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| The 1968 Ducati Fattorino three-wheelie uses a two-stroke engine with a 50 cc capacity. (Picture from: SupremeMotos) |
Looking back now,
Ducati’s brief detour into scooters and three-wheeled vehicles feels almost poetic. It reminds us that even brands known for power and speed once embraced the humble challenges of everyday mobility.
The Muletto and
Fattorino may not have reached the iconic status of
Ducati’s superbikes, but they represent the same creative energy — a willingness to adapt, to experiment, and to meet the needs of their time with originality and purpose.
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| The Ducati Fattorino 50cc while taken part in an Italian movie titled 'Mamma Roma' in 1962. (Picture from: SupremeMotos) |
Today, as the automotive world once again explores three-wheeled and compact electric solutions,
Ducati’s 1950s ingenuity feels unexpectedly relevant. Those old machines from Borgo Panigale were more than just utility vehicles; they were symbols of resilience and adaptability — proof that innovation often begins in the most practical of places. And while the world remembers
Ducati for its racing legends,
the Muletto and
Fattorino quietly remind us that even the fastest brands once had their roots firmly on the ground, carrying the weight of a world that was just learning to move again.
Kept
spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay
alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so
does the cops......
*** [EKA [16122020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIKEEXIF | SUPREMEMOTOS ] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
