Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tuesday 28th October from 1pm
Auction: Wednesday 29th October from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1959 Motovespa 125
Spanish made under licence Vespa 125
Estimate
£2, 200 - £2, 800
Registration No: XAS 963
Frame No: VT 206871
MOT: Exempt
Attractive scooter in 2 tone red and white
Fitted with some nice period-style extras
Supplied with a current V5C document
The first Vespa, designed by aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio was produced by Piaggio in Italy in 1946 and proved to be an immediate success, helping the country to get back on its feet after the devastation of WW2. The demand for the scooters was so strong that licensing agreements were signed with various companies around the world, with Motovespa S. A. acting as Piaggio's Spanish licence holder from 1952 until the 1990s. After the Second World War, Spain was isolated under Franco's dictatorship, but the Spanish Fiat representative Spartaco Malandri advised his friend Enrico Piaggio to set up a production plant in Madrid to meet the growing demand for motorised transport, and to bypass the government policy of not allowing the import of goods that could be produced locally. Motovespa initially imported complete scooters from Italy, secretly labelling them with Spanish serial numbers before beginning full production in 1953, still using many parts supplied from Piaggio's factories in Italy and France.
The chassis number of VT206871 suggests this is a Spanish 'made under licence' version of Vespas popular VBA 125cc scooter. First registered in the UK in 2004, it appears to have spent most of its life in Europe. Presented in an attractive two-tone red and white finish, it comes supplied with a front carrier, spare wheel with target cover, separate rider and pillion saddles and a dual tail pipe exhaust. Bought by the vendor in 2017, it has not seen much use since so it will need some recommissioning before use and comes supplied with a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
