Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
15th November, 2023 11:00
1970 Vespa SS50 Super Sprint
Estimate
£8, 000 - £10, 000
Registration No: TKT 61H
Frame No: N/ A
Engine No: V5SS1M2371
CC: 50
MOT: Exempt
A very rare opportunity to acquire an SS50
Original unique parts present all over
V5 present for use on UK roads
The Vespa SS50 made between 1965 and 1973 is much sought after by collectors due to its extreme rarity and was only produced by Piaggio for the export market. It was deemed too quick as a moped to comply with the 50cc moped regulations in Italy and many other countries including the Great Britain. It was a therefore a poor seller and only around 2500 were produced. The SS50 was developed as a sporting variant of the small-frame Vespa 50. The first 500 produced sported the dummy fuel tank and a centrally located spare wheel as the SS90. With narrower more aerodynamic fairing and a pad on top of the dummy tank riders could crouch low behind the headlight to reduce drag at higher speeds. The two-stroke 49. 8cc engine used in the Super Sprint is a single-cylinder, air-cooled unit with a bore/ stroke of 38/ 43mm and an 7. 2:1 compression ratio. It?s paired with a 4-speed gearbox, the dry weight is 77 kilograms, and the top speed is 70km/ h (43. 5mph). A large proportion of these were exported to New Zealand in parts because of the prohibitive import tax regulations for complete vehicles. In the rebuild process some of the parts were New Zealand built.
We understand that this late 1970 SS50 was imported from New Zealand as part of a batch bought by a Scottish RAF serviceman, Kieran Bell, who was based there. Our vendor bought it from previous keeper Paul White, also based in Scotland, along with a large number of SS50 spare parts. There is no frame number, which is consistent with New Zealand SS50s (The rear light unit is located higher on the New Zealand sold versions). And we were able to note impressive original SS50 parts all over the scooter. The engine is a genuine 6v standard V5SS1M, which the vendor assures us was from the supplied parts (it does not however correspond with the number on the V5). We noted all original parts: 110km/ h speedometer, exhaust, levers with small ball ends, seat, leg shield, SS50 scroll badge, Dellorto16/ 16 carburettor, horn, lights front and back, wheel rims are the original grey, SS50 engine cowl, correct handles on engine door, and many other small details adding to the originality of the parts, including the front mudguard screw. Indeed, the scooter is also supplied with the unique New Zealand-made stand brackets which our vendor had replaced with Italian ones. There is an original dummy tank (with original lock) and in-line wheel holder which we are told was also in the spare parts that came with the scooter. Also supplied with the lot is an original SS50/ SS90 operation and service manual in English, valued at over £1000 on the market alone. This is a rare scooter seldom seen on the market.
