Modern Vespa

Coming up for auction:

https://auctions.webbs.co.nz/m/lot-details/index/catalog/298/lot/89580

[edited to remove four lines of unnecessary cruft from the url - jimc ]

Its gotten so that those of us who would actually ride the thing as the factory intended won't or can't pay the asking price. Its a shame as lovely things like this are never actually seen on the road any more.

At least two of my past rides now reside in collections, or worse, a museum... its a damn shame and a waste.

This scoot is set up for a collector, not a rider. Meanwhile, there are enough of them around to buy, restore and ride.

Overpriced, lots of bodgery on it, engine condition looks terrible. For 12k it should be immaculate...

Oh yes, definitely overpriced and a fair amount of questionable things going on. Anyone that would bid on it without seeing it in person, has a lot of money and no sense. Anyone that would get to see it in person would walk away.....

Tough crowd. Maybe if you could point out a better one for less....

Maybe better, maybe not, but priced right IMO. That Douglas is nice, but.... $


You're too late, it sold fast. 1964 allstate 125 completely bone stock...case never cracked...first kick with choke...this bike is a neat lil 125, runs like a mouse with slippers.......real quiet like
w 18k on the odo
$2900


This all original Primavera w/ 325 miles for $3000 might still be available though https://www.scootnet2.net/index.php

You could probably find a nice looking LML for even less. That is also irrelevant. If you can't find a nicer Douglas for less, and it's what you want, it's worth what it costs. I wouldn't pay $100,000 for an old mustang, but I also wouldn't say it's overpriced because I can get something else for less.

I remember seeing one of the green and gold Hertz Shelby Cobras in a lot in San Jose, CA for just under 5K many years ago. Now, that was overpriced.

Sold for $NZ10000 I believe.

is it a 'Douglas' though?

If it is, what's it doing in NZ?

https://www.subito.it/moto-e-scooter/vespa-faro-basso-brescia-410691935.htm

https://www.subito.it/moto-e-scooter/vespa-150sprint-catania-414401051.htm

https://www.subito.it/moto-e-scooter/vespa-piaggio-faro-basso-padova-413999499.htm

https://www.subito.it/moto-e-scooter/piaggio-vespa-faro-basso-1957-vn2t-ragusa-412115634.htm

And many others...

$10000 Pacific Pesos...

That's not bad...

More than you want to know about Douglas, Piaggio and the Commonwealth.
https://web.archive.org/web/20100228194532/http://www.veteranvespaclub.com/1008.html

The auctioneer (link above) posted a fair amount of provenance information. This particular scooter was original registered in New Zealand in 1962.

"Douglas, a British motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1907 and based in Bristol, built Vespa scooters, under license from Piaggio, from 1951 until 1965, producing 126,320 Vespa scooters during that time. After production ended with the Vespa Sportique in 1965, they continued to import some models up until the end of the 60's when Piaggio took over importing directly. Through the period of their agency, however the Italians gave Douglas not only the UK market but also large areas of the Commonwealth such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa."

the vin codes out 48~51 V1T and the motor number is a big fat zero unless you change the M to a T and that comes back as a 62~67

I think the vin is wrong, on two accounts; one, that's not a 48~51 (obviously) and two, it's a square tail and not a round tail.

this thing smacks of bullshittery. but, like they say a fool and his money is born every minute.

http://themodgeneration.com/forum/topics/vespa-douglas


"Significantly, all the money being directed towards manufacturing meant that there wasn't much left over for marketing. When you add in the fact that the British-built Vespas were usually several years out of date anyway then it's not surprising that Lambretta got a toehold in this country that they generally failed to achieve elsewhere.


Sportique 1961-65
Douglas stopped producing 125cc Vespas and built instead a version of the current Piaggio 150cc model - the VBB. In an attempt to halt declining sales, various "special editions" with accessories as standard were produced. 1962 saw the Supreme in silver and the Grand Luxe in gold. 1n 1965, just before production of Vespas ended, came the Grand Tourer in metallic maroon"

Looks very similar to my 1970 Vespa Sprint Veloce, although when funds arrive, It's going to have a respray...

Graham