Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
15th November, 2023 11:00
1951 Vespa Douglas Rod Model
Owned by the Marquis of Anglesey
Estimate
£2, 000 - £3, 000
Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: 0610798
Engine No: 0610798
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt
Genuine barn find
Many hard to find original parts present
Very rare early model dated at June 1951*
Early features with aluminium panels and fender
* Source VVC Veteran Vespa club
The first time a Vespa was seen in Great Britain was on the stand of motorcycle manufacturer Douglas at the 1949 Motor Cycle Show. The scooter was discovered in Italy by Douglas managing Director Claude McCormack when the company was in the hands of the official receiver. The Vespa presented itself as a solution to the British companies problems and a deal was made with Piaggio to begin production of the Vespa under licence in Bristol in England starting with the ?Rod model? launched in March 1951. The rod model was slow to market and featured the same eternal design as the 1949 Italian ?Bacchetta? save for the position of the head light. Douglas were that far behind in development terms launching a year late and only producing 300 scooters per month by 1952. The result in todays international collectors market is that British built Douglas Vespas have in recent times emerged with a really special rarity and collectibility status. Only 11848 Douglas Vespa Rod models were produced from April 1951 and 1954 when the model G arrived with its cables. It is believed only around 100 Rod models survive*.
This very original early example number 798 off the production line. It was found in the kitchen of a large outhouse during restoration works to one of the properties owned by the current Marquis of Anglesey once known as ?The party house?. The history of the Marquises of Anglesey is fascinating. We are told that it belonged to the late 7th Marquis, the grandfather of our vendor. The outhouses are being cleared of numerous items collected over the last century and this scooter is one of them. The scooter is quite solid and would be a candidate for full restoration. There are no documents as they could not be found. We noticed that the original green paint is still under the brushed on over paint. The original speedometer is present showing only 2131 miles covered as well as a period switch and the floor runners all appear to have their end caps. In our opinion this is a superb basis for restoration. Original parts are available with patience in the market and good replacement parts are also readily available. Possibly then repainted in the correct metallic green one would have a very rare and desirable machine. The prestige of an aristocratic former owner is also interesting.
