Modern Vespa

Ive got the 1958 SEARS catalog. The Allstate Crusaire scooter is $324.50. The Vespa is stated to have 4.9 hp and get 110 MPG with speeds up to 46.6 mph. There are many accessories as well.
saddle bags 11.75
speedometer 13.95
windshield 13.95
front rack 5.49
brake light 5.79
passenger hand grips 4.65
buddy seat 4.89
front bumper 4.65
spare tire 8.95

Its interesting the catalog is filled with Allstate branded items: scooters, motorcycles, car engines, transmissions, brakes, batteries, shocks and springs ets. There is even an application for ALLSTATE auto insurance, founded by SEARS is says.

Anybody got a time machine they cold let me borrow?

Funny, too, because in 1958 they ditched the wideframe model and went to the largeframe VNA...which looks very different than in the pictures.


I'm told this is how they did it, though. You just ordered a scooter ... and got what they sent you. If you ordered the "Super cruisaire" they'd just send you whatever the model for that year was.

Apparently in 1966, where you had the choice for the first time ( between a smallframe and a largeframe sprint ) they didn't mention any of that ... they just asked if you wanted a "silver" or a "white" one ..and sent you the largeframe or smallframe, respectively, since they were only painted that 1 color.

The text for this particular year says Luster-finish enameled in light green.

Yeah... the 1957 allstates ( which is the scooter pictured ) were green enamel.

The 1958 model was sort of a cornflower blue.

"Up to 46.6 miles per hour"

"Built in electric horn"

I love these old advertisement pieces. I bought a few P200 advertisments off of ebay. I'd like to get some 100 Sport pieces too.

My dad has a '66 Chevelle so I picked him up some period magazine ads that touted the safety features of the '66 Chevelle - seat belts and a passenger side rear view mirror.

it also has 'getaway accleration' due to the fly 3-speed transmission

I bought this on ebay as well, just to see the Vespa ad. I was hoping for color photos since there are many color pages in the catalog. The catalog itself is very interesting. Some prices are higher than you would think while others are really cheap.

More toys to chose from.

the 250cc motorcycle they sell there is a twingle, IIRC.... 2 pistons in a single cylinder. One fires immediately after the other, and burns what's left of the initial charge that the first one didn't burn.

Nice nostalgia! I know those old bikes and scoots are nothing compared to later models but they sure remind me of simpler times (I suppose. I wasn't born yet. )

I'm a sucker for vintage ads. You just got to love all the cheezy lines they throw out there.

So in 1958 the Vespa was $324 and today they are $4399. Look what a freezer cost, about the same as today.

that's because freezers got outsourced to china, and vespa styled scooter fabrication has not.

Somewhat true. Major appliances were made in the US up until 10-15 years ago. Then much of the production moved to Mexico. Now i imagine alot is made in China. I know my LG front loader washer comes from Viet Nam.

Now back to the scooter topic. This Austrian moped has a 2 speed transfer case, low range is for hill climbing.