According to the Standard Catalog of Ducati Motorcycles; 1946-2005 (Ian Falloon 2004) there was no SP/CR designation in 1992. From 1991 through '94, when the SP/CR monickers were intoduced, there were simply SS and SL models, the SL being the Superlight. In 1992 the SS was offered in both red and black paint, both with white frames. The red model with black wheels and the black model with white wheels. The SS was also offered in both full faired and half faired configurations, both of identical spec except for their fairing lengths.
In 1992, Ducati sold the following bikes in a half-faired unit with black paint:
42 for the non-US market (actually built in '91 and sold as '92 models)
24 for the US market (10 built in '92 and 14 built in '91 and sold as '92 models)
6 for the California market (built in '91 and sold as '92 models)
10 for the German market (built in '91 and sold as '92 models)
That's a total of 82 black half-faired units sold worldwide as '92 model SSes.
There were also an additional 248 built in a full faired configuration worldwide and sold as '92 models.
This makes the black SS a rare Duc, indeed. However, rarity doesn't necessarily dictate value. You have to remember but one thing to see why these aren't worth nearly as much as FEs (of which more were made), SLs (of which more were made..even in '92), and other desireable SS models.......there weren't many of them because folks wouldn't BUY them in '92. They were considered ugly ducklings next to their red counterparts, and because of that lots of dealers were stuck with black SSes for years! I remember seeing one in a showroom, brand new, in
1996 offered at the then bargain price of $6,000......BRAND NEW!!!!!
For what it's worth, I can confirm that at least one of these black beauties is no more. I have it's slightly dented fuel tank in my garage. It's a pretty metal flake black.
