c1961 Piaggio Vespa 150cc Scooter

Description

Idolised by the young people for generations, made famous by celebrities like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and produced the world over in millions, the Vespa came to symbolise Italy more than just about any other product. Instantly recognisable and found in just about every corner of the globe, the Vespa revolutionised mass transportation in the immediate post-war period. At a time when the car was beyond the reach of most Europeans, the scooter gave millions of people the freedom of movement and proved the ideal solution for getting around increasingly crowded cities. The classic large-frame model was first seen in 1954 and underwent almost constant refinement over the next two decades. By the time the example on offer here was manufactured, the Vespa 150 had benefited from more modern styling with an integrated headlamp and a new cylinder-inducted motor design for better reliability and more power (both introduced in 1958). As Vespa production was passing the two million mark in 1960, the four-speed gearbox was standardised on the 150 and it gained the tail lights and clamshell speedo from the GS model. In 1961, less expensive and more reliable rotary valves were also introduced. Today, the Vespa is an ideal choice as a classic commuter vehicle, being both easy to maintain and cheap to run, with an excellent support network of clubs and specialists around the world. Why ride a boring modern scooter when you could arrive on a style icon?