c.1965 Vespa SS 50 (Replica) Scooter

From 1965 until 1971, Vespa offered the distinctive high performance Super Sprint variants of both the 50cc and 90cc small-frame scooters, with unique styling that featured raked handlebars, a spare wheel fitted underneath the dummy fuel tank (which doubled as a storage compartment and had a chest pad) and bigger 10-inch wheels. The sporty look was justified by a more powerful engine and chrome-plated exhaust system, making the SS a surprisingly decent performer. The Super Sprint models were only ever made in limited quantities, with a mere 2,525 built (along with a further 5,309 of the larger SS90 models) and they have become one of the most collectible, not to mention valuable, of all vintage Vespas today.