Special anniversary exhibition: Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne showcases Ducati’s history

From Ducati’s 65 T through the legendary Ducati 916 to the current Panigale V4 S: Eleven motorbikes, symbolising eleven highlights of the brand’s in-house two-wheeler production over its now century-long history in Borgo Panigale, are currently being brought together at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne for the ‘Ducati Centenario Exhibition’. To mark the Bologna-based company’s anniversary celebrations, no fewer than eleven Ducatisti are lending their own motorbikes to the museum, enabling Switzerland’s most-visited museum to showcase exhibits spanning seven decades. The manufacturer explains that this exhibition is taking place in Lucerne, of all places, rather than in its home region of Emilia-Romagna, because of the connection it sees with Swiss Ducatisti: with 24,000 registered Ducatis, the Alpine nation is said to have one of the highest densities of the Bologna-based brand on the global market.

The brand’s history is presented chronologically through the eleven exhibits, with the 65 T leading the way: In its day, this model represented a significant evolutionary leap and, unlike its technical predecessor, the 1949 Ducati 60, no longer resembled a motorised bicycle but marked the transition to a fully-fledged motorbike. The ‘T’ was regarded as a workhorse, whilst the ‘TL’ – available at the same time – was designed to appeal to customers seeking greater comfort. Both variants are now seen as symbols of the Bolognese company’s transformation into a fully-fledged motorcycle manufacturer. Prior to this, Ducati was primarily known for small electronic devices. The model was produced from 1952 to 1958; the exhibit dates from 1953.

Alongside a 1972 Ducati 750 Sport and the legendary 1978 900 SS ‘Königswelle’, the exhibition also features a 750 F1. The 1985 motorcycle is regarded as Fabio Taglioni’s final project. The Italian is now considered a defining figure for Ducati; the V4-powered Apollo is attributed to him, as is the layout – later characteristic of Ducati – featuring one cylinder positioned in the direction of travel and one standing upright.

A 1986 Mille Replica is also on display in Lucerne, as is a 1987 750 Paso – the first production Ducati designed by Massimo Tamburini. Tamburini is regarded as having had a defining influence on several Italian motorbike manufacturers and as a designer renowned beyond the motorbike scene; the Ducati 916 also traces its origins back to him. A 1994 model is also on display in Lucerne, not far from a Panigale V4SP2 916 Anniversary – a special edition honouring that very 916 and, at the same time, the forerunner of the current, and also on display – Panigale generation from the Italian manufacturer with a V4 engine. The 888 Strada is another superbike from Ducati’s history on display at the Swiss Museum of Transport, right next to the Monster 900, which in 1993 claimed to have pioneered the modern naked bike segment.

The exhibition is also part of the ‘Centenario Ride’ – as the organisers call a group ride scheduled to take place on 22 August from Oberkirch via the Glaubenberg to Lucerne at the Swiss Museum of Transport, which is expected to bring together up to 100 Ducatisti. The ‘Ducati Centenario’ exhibition itself is open to the public until the end of March 2027 and is included in the standard museum admission price.