Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1978 Vespa (Douglas) Rally 200
Extremely original
Estimate
£8, 500 - £9, 500
Registration: VUF 519S
Frame No: VSE1T 0037456
Engine No: VSE1M 0038605
MOT: Exempt
British registered from new on 15th March 1978
Extremely original including paint
Full known history and only 2 owners from new.
V5 present for use on UK roads
The Vespa Rally 200 made between 1972 and 1979 is much sought after by collectors due to its excellent and powerful performance coupled with attractive lines. Just over 41700 were produced. The Rally also known as the queen of Vespas was a large performance step up from the earlier models of the 1960’s. The 180 versions were well received for their performance and appearance. The 200 was similar to the Rally 180 but with a larger capacity cylinder capable of producing over 10 HP and crankcase modifications were made necessary to accommodate that. There was also a new FENSA electronic unit and the Rally 200 was produced in a range of vibrant colours in tune with the fashions of the 1970’s. The later Rally 200s featured the Ducati electronic ignition and these are the most coveted version of this classic.
VUF 519S is a late model with the desirable Ducati electronics. The old type log book confirms it was bought brand new by a Mr Albert Warner from Redhill Motors Brighton on 15th March 1978 with the accessories that can be seen in the photos which have not been removed and so remain in use on the scooter to this day. During the 1980s our vendor remembers seeing Mr Warner riding around Brighton in a very cautious manner and thinking what a lovely scooter it was. In the late 80s our vendors details were passed to Mr Warner by local Brighton scooter specialist Gerry Ingram. Mr Warner told him that he used to ride to Burnham on Sea occasionally and needed the scooter to be perfect.
In 1990 Mr Warner had a slight mishap whilst waiting at traffic lights with his foot slipping and the scooters left panel slightly grazing the kerb. It was at this point that he decided to retire from scootering and offered it to our vendor with 21264 miles on the clock on the 14th February 1990. Naming it Delilah our vendor owed to keep it and ride it exactly as Mr Warner did. Delilah has many cherished memories for our vendor including riding to Harrogate, Bridlington and Bognor Regis Scooter Custom Shows during the early 90s and being amazed once by obtaining 172 miles on one tank of petrol. The scooter has won trophies for best ‘unrestored scooter’. Another great memory was taking Delilah to Elstree Studios as requested by band Saint Etienne on 17 February 1994 for their newly released hit Pale Movie on Top of The Pops (see Youtube) Delilah was positioned almost centre stage behind lead singer Sarah Cracknell.
The last recorded MOT was 9th September 1996 with mileage at 23800. Our vendor has only added 2800 miles in 33 years. Up to that date Delilah had only needed a battery and the usual maintenance. At that point our vendor emigrated to Australia for 5 years and drained the fuel and dry stored the scooter Delilah in a friends dining room until 2001. Upon his return and until 2019 Delilah was dry stored. The mileage to the present reading of 24073 miles is believed genuine. Most recent repairs and attention has been that the speedo needle vanished although the milage was still clocking up. He dismantled the speedo and refitted the astray needle. So it is original still with a slightly wobbly needle. The same with the original seat he opted to repair the vinyl rather than fitting a new one. Recently he has fitted a new gel battery which looks authentic with the original cover.
Our vendor informs us that Delilah rides like no other Rally he has ever ridden. The engine has never been dismantled it has never needed to be. With gentle riding during all of the scooters life he tells us that she has amazing torque and that the controls still feel like new. There is some localised surface rust on the edges but for the age she is not far off the day Mr Warner picked her up. The scooter is supplied with every tax disc from new until 1996 and still has the original tool roll with tools and original handbook in English.
