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Hi everyone. I have decided to be a big boy and make a choice. I have a white 1977 Sprint Veloce, a blue 1966 SS180, and a white 1964 GS160. I have decided I only really need one scooter and should keep only one. So, all things being equal in terms of condition, which is the one to keep? Which is the best one to have from the standpoint of desirability and value? If you had to sacrifice two and you had all three, which is the one you’d keep? This isn’t a hypothetical question, by the way. It’s really something I want to do. Thanks for your advice.
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Petty Tyrant
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It really depends on the condition of each. Most would probably say the GS160 is the most desirable. It is often held as being the apex of the Vespa style.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the SS180. If I owned all three and could only own one, it would absolutely be the 1966 SS180.
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I do like that too, but the look of the GS is pretty stunning (for a Vespa). Every time I look at it I hear the song “O Sole Mio” in my head. It’s not quite as peppy as the SS180, but not slow. The SS180 really looks similar to the Sprint Veloce to my eye. I wonder, why do people like the SS180 so much? Don’t get me wrong, I like it too, but not for the look, really. Anyway, I have already (just) decided to sell the Sprint Veloce, so now I have to choose between the GS and the SS.
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Syndrome wrote:
The SS180 really looks similar to the Sprint Veloce to my eye. I wonder, why do people like the SS180 so much? Don’t get me wrong, I like it too, but not for the look, really.
One of the reasons for the desirability of the SS180 is that it is the last of the piston-ported engines. It's also somewhat rare, with a number of unique parts that don't interchange with any other bike. For me, it's the first Vespa I ever saw that I just fell in love with.
Syndrome wrote:
Anyway, I have already (just) decided to sell the Sprint Veloce, so now I have to choose between the GS and the SS.
Of the three, that seems like a reasonable choice.
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Thanks for all. Is there an objective source for values of these scoots? For my classic cars, I always refer to Hagerty to figure out how much I should ask, based on condition.
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Molto Verboso
Scattered remnants of (two!) 1974 Rallys
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Molto Verboso
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UTC quote
I would hang on to them. They're getting so expensive and hard to find.

Those are all great bikes!

If I were to only have one Vespa, it would be a P200 or a Rally.
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Yeah, I really think that if I let them go, I’ll regret it in a second and a half. Tough decision.
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P208, Stella VMC Stelvio 187, Stella 150, VNX1T, V9A1T, V9B1T, 02 Sportster XLH1208
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UTC quote
Keep at least two. You have some of the best models. Coming from someone searching and waiting for either of those to pop up in my price range, i wouldn't get rid of them until you absolutely need to.
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Yeah, thanks. I don’t need to, just feel like I shouldn’t have three. I’ll probably sit tight until this feeling passes. Thank you.
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Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
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UTC quote
think about how each one rides, because they're totally different. which one is the most fun? which brings you the most pleasure from riding.

if I had to whittle down to ONE it'd be the the SS or the GS over the sprint. and then from there, which makes me smile the most.

for example, at one time I had 67, 68 & 69 barracudas (it's a long story) and while they're seemingly identical cars each was just different enough from the other. the 67 was a 383 big block four speed convertible car. but was terrifying to drive and needed bunch of shit; or would in the near future. ostensibly, it was worth wayyyy more than the 68 or 69. but I sold it on, because it didn't bring me the unbridled joy when driving it. the 68 left next. I'd built a Johnny kick ass small block for it, and while I loved the color and it was fun, it just wasn't what I *wanted* so to speak.

25 years later, I still have the 69 because every time I catch a peek of it in the driveway I just grin like I'm 18 again. it smells exactly the same. when I sit down, and grab the wheel it feels like I'm 21 and chasing girls with waxy lipstick, tight pants and bangs.

that's the measure of what you keep. when you see it and you grinch smile like you've got your own little secret that nobody else knows.
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objective values? post 'em up here with detailed info. this peanut gallery knows better than anybody.

but if you're looking for maximum dough? bring a trailer or auction. but here you'll get honest real world values.
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Addicted
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UTC quote
These are all problems I wish I had.. Crying or Very sad emoticon
UTC

Ossessionato
Vespas 1964 GS160, 1965 SS180, 1977 V9A1T, 1983 PX150E
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UTC quote
Of those three, you must keep the GS160 and the SS180. If you sell either, you will regret it. I sold two custom made bicycles years ago, and I still deeply regret it.

I as well have a GS160 and an SS180. I will not sell either of them unless my family and I are starving to death.
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Johnny Two Tone
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UTC quote
Greasy hit it right on, which one makes you feel the best while riding it? That’s the keeper.
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1980 P200E - "Old Rusty", 1976 ET3 Primavera
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UTC quote
Oof that's tough. All 3 are scoots people envy you having (or at least I do ) - the SS180 and GS160 are the ones I'd be fretting over the most. Of the two, I'd keep the one I enjoyed riding the most, rather than the one most valuable to OTHERS
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UTC quote
To me, the GS160 is the Holy Grail of Vespas. The SS180 is a close second. You are truly blessed to have one of each. You should keep both of those two in my opinion. I know that I'd kick myself to let either one go.
UTC

Ossessionato
One or two fun scoots....nothing too precious
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One or two fun scoots....nothing too precious
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UTC quote
For me the year or era is most important, with model taking second ranking. If one of your Vespas matches your birth year or takes you back to a certain time in your life, that's the one IMHO. For this reason I would love a 1968 SS180 above all else.
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Yeah. For me, the “problem” is that I spent many years in Italy, so the steel-bodied Vespa of any year brings back feelings of that lifestyle. I don’t really have an affinity to a particular year or model more than the general sense of happiness of Italian living, which the old Vespa evokes.

I am attracted to beauty, like everyone else, so the curves of the GS160 make that the model I like the most. The next one in line is the SS180 because it carried on the mechanical complexity of the GS, though it’s nowhere as pretty. After that is the anomaly (for me), which is the Sprint Veloce. I didn’t seek that one out to buy.

The Sprint Veloce ended up in my “stable” as a partial payment by the guy who bought my old 1974 Carrera. That particular scooter is cosmetically the nicest of all, and even has a rebuilt engine. It was (it seems) a DC or Parks police vehicle in its day.

Of the three, the Sprint Veloce is the one that speaks to me the least, so I’ll probably sell it first. Then I’ll see if I still want to sell one of the others. This morning I woke up very doubtful of that.

I know this is really a problem I should be grateful to have. I don’t want to seem like I don’t understand that. Thanks for the advice!
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UTC quote
If you send them down to me, I can toodle around on them for a couple of months, and after my expert assessment I'll send you back the one you should keep Razz emoticon Take the pain out of the decision for you
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UTC quote
Well you can't only have one, because one will break then what will you ride?

You must keep at least 2. That's all there is to it! You will keep the SS and the GS.
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bodgemaster
63 GL, 76 Super (x2), 74 Primavera (x2), 79 P200, 06 Fly 150
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UTC quote
First world problems Facepalm emoticon
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UTC quote
Quote:
I have decided I only really need one scooter and should keep only one.
My wife would love you!

I'll swap you her for the SS and the Veloce Razz emoticon
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1980 P200E - "Old Rusty", 1976 ET3 Primavera
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UTC quote
FridayMatinee wrote:
Well you can't only have one, because one will break then what will you ride?

You must keep at least 2. That's all there is to it! You will keep the SS and the GS.
Truth
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Agreed
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Molto Verboso
'64 Motovespa 150S (177) , '65 VBB, '66 Allstate SF, '66 180SS, '58 LD 125 (150)
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Molto Verboso
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'64 Motovespa 150S (177) , '65 VBB, '66 Allstate SF, '66 180SS, '58 LD 125 (150)
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UTC quote
If what you are asking is which bike is worth the most, it's definitely the GS.
It's too bad they didn't carry the GS frame over to the SS instead of the new fat and square style. But then, I guess I probably wouldn't have been able to afford to own one today ....
The '66 SS is the most enjoyable Vespa I've had and I'm planning a 350 mile loop to upstate NY and back through Mass this weekend just to confirm what a great touring bike it is..
I know I'd be sorry the minute I let the SS go, but I'd absolutely hang on to a GS if I ever got one. I think it is the most unique and beautiful model they ever made.
Good luck
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