Modern Vespa

Hello, I am new an inexperienced, and was hoping to tap into the vast amount of knowledge I have seen on the forums.
I came across this 150 Veloce, 1975 on my travels. The owner is moving and keen to sell. I am looking for a project and thought this could be a good one.

clearly not an original seat, am told it was restored a few years back but am not able to find out more - am worried about a bodge of course. the paint job is poor and clearly not a good restoration, but if there are enough original bits it could be a good project (he's asking about 600 bucks).
some of you am sure have a keen eye, and will be able to see things that I never would, even from pictures, any help would be appreciated.
all the best and thanks

Does it start up and run? $600 is certainly low if it's an honest bike but I'd be concerned about what's under that paint.

I don't recognize that speedometer, could it be a Bajaj Chetak? I know they had a black faced speedometer.

Difficult to see but does it say King 2 on there?

It's a polished turd. No two ways about it.

Looking at the cowl hook and the rear brake plate, I'd guess what's under that paint is the same as what's under the cowl hook. Ditto various other steel bits, like the headset lever screws.

Pop rivets on all the floor rails.
Flange bolts replacing the hub studs on the rear hub
Phillips head screws that should be flathead

The motor seems to have pretty serious spitback from the carb, assuming that's why there's oil/gas around the idle screw on the airbox. That's an indicator of bad timing and/or a bad rotary pad. Bad timing isn't great. Bad pad is "splitting the cases to fix" bad.

Not knowing where you're located, I don't know if $600 could be a good deal or not, but I'd expect that you're going to spend multiples of that to get/keep it in running order, plus that paint won't look good for long.

Value it accordingly.

Lot of bondo there



Look at how the nuts for the stand sit on the metal, they should be straight.

This looks like a painted rust bucket...

Did you check frame number ? Should be VLB1T with a number in between 150001 - 368119

Engine number should start with VLB1M

If you are willing to do the mechanic yourself and you already own some tools (+ you will have to invest into specific tools), then "maybe", but this could rapidly become a money pit, especially guessing this is a rust bucket.

I would pass otherwise

I'm curious where the photos were taken.

Thanks everyone, will give this one a pass.
Indeed it is a turd in disguise, which I knew when looking at the paint job, but at the price of a project bike I was planning a full rebuild anyway - too many red flags though, and thanks for pointing them out!

to answer some of the questions, the owner drives it regularly (not sure I would), and its located in Pakistan, (the pics were taken at the Belgium embassy where the current owner works) - I spent some time in the country for work, and there are quite a few vespas that were brought in by Italy in the 70's as part of some program (a lot more Bajaj though). the bike has the original registration papers from 75 - but who knows what was done to it- the speedo does say King I, maybe to put a Bajaj one on there or something.
Like you said, full of Bondo, wrong screws, wrong speedo. I live in Rome and could have had it shipped for free so was considering it as am looking for a new project- you guys confirmed it, am very appreciative of the advice.

I saw that flag and thought, "Belgium???" but then saw the sandal and thought, "No, Pakistan!"