Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1960 Vespa (Douglas) GS VS5
Impressive history file
Estimate
£6, 500 - £7, 500
Registration: 5177 MK
Frame No: 066294
Engine No: V9M21546
MOT: Exempt
This actual scooter featured in the 2022 Queens Jubilee and again as a major publicity focal for the Kings 2023 Coronation
Original British registered with buff log book
Rich history file
V5C for use on UK roads
The first appearance of the Vespa was in 1946 and it was such a success that it become a symbol of taste, fashion and style and has become one of the favourite global design icons of all time. The GS (Gran Sport) was the culmination of all of the speed racers and trial versions of Vespa that had gone before including the famous ‘Sei Giorni’ factory racers. It was the first mass produced sport Vespa to enter the market. The first GS (Grand Sport) VS1 production started at the beginning of 1955 and the ‘Vespone’ or big wasp was a tremendous overall success. A great many of the features experimented on the Sei Giorni racers transitioned to the GS. Larger 10 inch ‘star’ wheels, 4 gears in a 150cc 8 HP engine and a new body design with the machine presented in silver. The VS2 followed in 1956 with very few technical changes save the hidden cables and white speedometer. The leg shield was protected with a chrome trim. The VS5 was the last incarnation of the GS150 and features included re-designed wheel rims and better brake cooling, comfortable blue coloured dual seat, a new style cylinder head and the carburettor changed to a more efficient 23mm Dellorto version.
This VS5 is supplied with a very large history file from first owner to the present day with extensive information of its restoration and re-registration, bills, a film appearance in ‘The Empire of Light’ and jubilee participation plus coronation advertising. The scooter is well known in the VVC (Veteran Vespa Club) has been in ownership of members since 1991. It has been well loved and only due to the age of the vendor has it even been considered for sale. As far as we can see from the documentation we believe that we can trace many of the owners. First registered on July 20th 1960 by Liddamore Motors in North London the first owner was a Miss Nicky Constantiou, then in 1963 a Mrs Nicky Sparrow owned it before Shakirva Aroyenun in 1966 all of these from North London. The scooter made its way to Edinburgh to a Frederick Belford of Balerno and then Glasgow to a Tracy Cochran who sold it to Mr Mike Pursglove, a member of the VVC in 1991. Probably due to being laid up the scooter lost its original registration number which was retrieved after the considerable efforts of Mr Pursglove as can apparently be see from the paperwork. Our vendor purchased the scooter in 2014 and has continued the care and attention shown including retaining so much information in the considerable file. There are many MOT’s that could support the speedometer reading and an almost continuous number of tax discs from 1993 to 2012. The speedometer is the original VS5. The scooter was part of the televised procession that approached Buckingham palace for the Queens jubilee last year and was chosen by Hamptons estate agents as a main image for their coronation presentation in the window displays of all 92 of their offices this year.
We can also deduce from the file a major restoration was undertaken by Mr Pursglove around 1992 including the purchase of a genuine V9M Piaggio replacement standard GS150 engine. Information about the V9M engines can be sought from the VVC historian. The chassis number is now on a plate. On inspection the scooter is extremely sound with no visible corrosion issues and the underfloor looked as it should with the ribbed supports appearing to be unaltered. Under the floor mat we can see some surface paint bubbling but no major corrosion. The scooter shows a patina commensurate with fairly regular use. It participated in this years 2023 VVC Welsh rally in May this year. Still on 6v points with a gel battery we were able to see the scooter start easily and run well at time of consignment. Original parts on the scooter include: control switch, speedo, Siem keys, Siem headlight and lens, horn cover, mudguard crest, wheels to name just some. The seat is believed to be a recovered original in the correct blue colour. The scooter is adorned with a number of period accessories including: Fabbri side saddle foot rest, a unique rear rack and back rest combination with wicker basket, original Diamanté 60s floor mat, period style leg shield trim, Vigano wheel disc on the spare wheel, Cavalli passenger foot rest, and a period style side mirror. The scooter also comes with two sets of spare keys.
