Modern Vespa

I've been looking to get a vintage 50s or 60s Vespa project for a while and finding the right one at a decent price has been difficult. This 1959 150 VBA project popped up on FB marketplace and I am intrigued but may let it pass at their "firm" $1800 price and Bill of Sale only. If anyone has any insights into this model or what I should be looking for if I decide to check it out, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Honestly I find it to be beautiful unrestored bike, maybe just spray some clear coat and make sure its up to date mechanically. I purchased a 59 vba as well last year in socal and I got a much better deal and a little better conditions. Although the amount of time it took for me to prep the body and paint was crazy. Im more of a 4 stroke Honda person, which I would find parts all over bay, and for the vba I stupidly bought "new" parts from India that went straight to the trash. So in my opinion either get used oem parts or keep the original parts and try to fix them up as best as you can if you want to completely restore it. They're also mostly for short trips or weekend rides since they're sluggish if you live in a big city and the front brake I using the front brake is a death sentence if you slam on it. Anyways I love the vba rounded tail and would probably go by in person if its close to you since the price is a little steep since there's no paperwork, (you can do the Vermont registration and just get a title in your state later) and check if the engine at least kicks over. Im not an Vespa expert but someone on the forum will give you more accurate things to look at and if its a decent deal.

Apparently, those days are over.

and this is something you can use to get a better deal.

Let's apply the old greasy math here. A reminder on the formula: Applying the formula, let's be generous. It's a $3k max bike if in good solid running shape and respectable appearance (that's too high, but whatever). 50% off for not running = $1500. 50% more off for no title = $750. At $1800, it better be rare and unobtanium.

This is one of those, what's this pile of parts worth to you scenarios. If you have been looking in an acceptable range to you for months with no luck, well you have to make that decision. I have things I ask myself like, Is the frame solid? Is the floorboard rusted out? How hard is the correct tail light going to be to find? How much do I really care if I find a 100% correct tail light?

I think it's new enough about any large frame motor will bolt up? Someone will be along to let us know.

Is the fork straight? Get a good look and take a laser square and level to check.

I can bolt on a lot of mechanical parts easily. When I have to start body work, removing floorboards etc I lose interest fairly quickly.

To me a straight frame, straight fork and not driving 750 miles are worth a lot more than the great deal you may find 600 miles away to arrive and find a rust hole in floorboard and a bent fork.


An example for me would be a handle bar year, say within a 3 hour drive of my house. That would get my attention and I may pay a bit more. I've been good about not adding anything to garage but that could be my weekness.

Yes, you can fit any large frame engine in there. From a VNA to a P series they all will fit no problem.

I'd say hard pass just looking at where the floor board meets the tunnel.

some better pics might change my mind, but that 1800 is wayyy too much for a non titled, non runner.

That's a $400 bike that is .5 HR from your house.

Same bike but running and titled, plus essentially rustfree in original patina'd paint, sold to a friend in that same price ballpark. This sad bike w/ none of that is still worth considering for somewhere between a quarter to half of that IF no serious cancer - I've gotten cancerous bikes like that for free, or next to nothing. If you REALLY are Jonesing hard then you really need to do your research & look at it up close to know enough to decide.

You're looking at a considerable project so maybe this would appeal to you for half the money or your best offer. He's already done half the work you'd have to do anyway, and there seems to be no serious rust. https://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/d/cumberland-classic-vespa-project/7648527401.html


If you're lucky w/ the blue one, you have this after a few weeks or so.

I have restored 2 of these models, and there is nothing funny about the bodies or engines of them.

I have been importing all my parts from SIP Scootershop in Germany for the last 15 years (the USA dealers are to far away), and so far I have found all the parts I have ever needed.

So if you can get it for an acceptable price, go for it.

Yep I worked out a deal with this seller and going to pick up this week. Thanks for the head's up and advice!

Good call, OP. $1800 for that bike was waaaay too much. I mighta paid… 300? 500?

My '61 VNB w/ title, fresh paint and lml motor I paid like $1500. Same same for my running, titled '65 Allstate in original paint.

Post the rebuild here. It'd be cool to see ya bring it back to life!

Yes Sir, wise choice and a good headstart. We want pics ASAP of all the parts you scored in this deal! Makes it so much easier when we wanna tell you important stuff or just order you around.

I love it when a plan comes together!

So I am going to go check out that 1962 VBB project from above. Is there any major red flags that I should be looking out for that would kill the deal?

I'm not paying $900...agreed price is much lower but I don't want to go down a path that's going to cause more headaches than it's worth.

Thanks in advance!

Identify model of frame and motor; condition of floor underside and inside the tunnel; where's the rest of the bike? other body pieces: cowls, mudguard, headset, wheels, fork, all hardware, carburetor, rest of trim?

There are some conflicting details about what model you are looking at. The required field of the ad says '62 VNB, which was the 125cc version of the VBB, but then also says 150cc displacement. So, look at the frame and motor vin #s closely. They will be different numbers but possibly also different letters: V** ?

What's the model listed in the frame's serial number (stamped on the L side rear) and also the model stamped on the motor's swingarm?

Confirm 3 or 4 speed...

Oh, and title?

Zach pretty much covered it, but in the add, the owner says the engine has been updated. It would be nice to know what he means by this and any receipts showing parts bought would be great too.