Modern Vespa

Hello

I purchased a 1982 P200E that has been stripped and ready for painting. I need to choose a colour.

I am relatively new to the Vespa world. I don't have any of the historical background of Vespa that I assume you all do.

My first instinct was to either go with the original colours of Vespa during that era..

Then my 2nd thought was to go with colours that were well known overall in the 80's. That is pastels a la Miami Vice and the like. The guy who is restoring my Vespa who's been in the Vespa world for 30 years or so, told me I would regret that choice.

Of the first type, I rather like the orange. But it feels a little too 1970's and not 80's..

I am not restoring this Vespa to sell it, but if I ever do, does staying with the original Vespa colours matter ?

Finally, what do most body shops ask for when you tell them the colour you would like ? Do they ask for the Pantone colour ?

Looking forward to your replies.

Thanks

J

White. Full stop.

It looks amazing with the the OG turn signals and black rubber trim.


If anyone tells you different… kick them in the bag.

Hunter green with black trim, I'm a bit masochistic.

Lolz!!!

ORANGE! Ha!

I don't believe they imported P200e's in orange to the states though...

And you can never go wrong with white, as BN pointed out.

Birdsnest can skip out on going to the gym tomorrow in order to get his leg workout, cause I also love orange scooters!

Assuming that you're just building a standard daily driver, then I'm a big fan of looking at the current or recent Vespa lineup and using one of those colors. I think the yellow "giallo estate", red-orange "arancio impulsivo", or blue "blu energia" would look pretty sharp on a P, if you can overlook the ridiculous names.

Just don't go for one of those silly multi-color jobs...

I painted my P200E less than 2 years ago. It was an original silver with the "tuxedo" theme that someone added to it (black cowls and nose) but I ended up painting it original color and it looks killer with the black accents (rubber pieces). My P200E is one of these scooters that was a very low mile/very low use when I got it (2500 miles) so the paint was in very decent condition. You will have an easier pick if your P200E is a beat up scooter and there are many out there totally beat up, rusted or oxidized.

On a different note, I am feeling your hesitation, I am about to paint a Lambretta and I don't know what to pick. I have been looking for pictures on google, I have seen a lots of two tones and also one color and chrome and finally one color(basic color and also metallic finish).

At the end of the day it is a hard decision, it is a personal call and very subjective to you. I pais $700 for painting my P200E and fixing some minor scratches. Just keep searching on google and start taking notes of what's out there so that you can make your own decisions.

'Racing' red was typical of the 1980's (best example: T5 mk1). I used PIA 2/5 (Rosso Corsa) when I had my scooter repainted earlier this year, which was a factory option in 1986/7 as far as I can tell

Not era related but it's a P/PX color. My P was the shitty flaky silver before. Since I love blue this was my choice…

Color is "Azzurro Mediterraneo 244/A"

Thanks for all the recommendations. I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply.

Seeing photos really helps! Keep them coming !

SaFiS I really like that blue.. You've just made my choice harder.

I see that you are in Greece. We were there a few years ago. Such an incredible country.

I would say anything but "shitty silver."
The only Vespa that looks good in silver is the old silver/gray GS150.

Last time someone asked this they went with ORANGE...
1974 V90 Resto Leaning towards ORANGE PAINT COLOR

I say Orange & Purple (or Brown or Yellow or Green) but that's me!

Or, go the PASTEL, just ensure it doesn't look like a bodge!

The shitty goes for the fact that of all the era colors, it was the one that "disintegrated" the most. I do like silver…

When I worked in the auto body industry years ago, the older cars that were silver were always the worst - faded, flaking clear coat, total basket cases. Oldsmobiles were the worst. It's something to do with the pigment in silver paint.

Flipping through a few other posts and I think currently, Rosso Canyon is in the lead.

I would figure out it you want to be noticed or you want to blend in, whether you want flashy or plain. Then go from there.

There's got to be a color here we can all agree on.

I think the original gray/silver is the perfect color. Though the paint they used was terrible, so you never see original paint ones looking nice. This was a repaint.

The United Colours of Blech !

Konfigurator shows you the stock colors.

Though I've never seen most of these.

https://blog.scooter-center.com/konfigurator-vespa-px-alt-px-lusso-sitzbank/

A couple of nice restorations from Bar Italia (I think these are Arancio and Sabbia paint codes.)


https://baritaliaclassics.com/rg_32.html
https://baritaliaclassics.com/rg_31.html

Porsche makes a Cashmere Beige Metallic that I think would look killer on a P.

My colour experiences of scooters ive owned. Certain colours obviously give flexibility for accessorising with goodies that match in with the colour you choose, so consider that, coloured seats, stickering etc.

My v90 White looks great but shows all the rust coming through on mudguard seams, floorboards etc.

Burgundy - px125 mk1, i loved that colour, very subtle and looked great with 80s chromey bits.

px125/pk75xl Nero 94 Black looks great but you need to constantly clean as shows the ruddy dirt too much. Good for adding colour accessories though.

Red, v100 and ETS 125 , is a nice safe colour, gets you seen on roads but why does red bloom so much? What is it about red and blooming.

Dark blue v50s - never liked blue, boring boring boring.

The later PX light blue (cat converter), really quite nice.

Orange - Rally 200, love that colour, but orange is a bit marmite, love it or hate it.

Silver p200E - Not so easy to touch up IMO due to metallic paint. Easier to sell as neutral colour.

Super s*** beige - Vespa 150 super, bought for 40 quid and moved it on for 150 a month later in the 80s as the colour looked like babies poop. I just couldnt stand looking at it.

Italjet 180 dragster, Orange and Blue Metallic, - looked like a friggin space ship, awesome thing and colours looked amazing, but probably not so much on classic scooter.

Always liked the yellow on the classic primavera 125.