Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 21st July from 1pm
Auction: Wed 22th July from 10am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: 18313
MOT: Exempt
Unicorn rare anywhere especially in the UK
Extremely original including paint
One owner for last 67 years
Original RF60 buff log book with all owners history
The Vespa did not go unnoticed internationally and examples were imported or trialled by various companies in several European countries prior to 1950 including Hoffmann of Germany. Hoffmann Werke as it became known was the first licensee of The Vespa to manufacture outside of Italy. The company was headed by the controversial industrialist Jakob Oswald Hoffmann who had moved the company to new works to the Lintorf district of Dusseldorf. Hoffmann did eventually produce around 60, 000 scooters in all but faced a myriad of problems including legal action from Piaggio for changing the Vespa specification, BMW for plagiarism around their Isetta car and local market forces with strong competition from other German scooter manufacturers. The first Hoffmann Vespas were produced in early 1950 with the A version which was very similar to the Italian Bachetta. Then the version B was launched and had many modifications and upgrades. Finally came the ‘Konigin’ which was the subject of Piaggios wrath with its upgraded engine and chrome accessories. The company went bankrupt in 1954.
The Hoffmann Vespa B had many features unique to itself. Whilst retaining the lines of the earliest Vespas the low light on the front mudguard fairing was not changed nor was the rod ‘bachetta’ gear change but it did incorporate design and functional differences. With standard VDO speedometer the drive was at the rear hub as opposed to the front. The Magnetzund electrical system and Hella lights and switches were unique to the model. The floor was longer as in the later Italian Vespas but the floor runners ended short to allow for passenger foot pads. The front suspension was beefed up by an enclosed friction damper and the stand was strengthened.
This extremely original 1952 example is a real one-off find. It is believed that there are only a few Hoffmanns in the UK and that they are of the later Konigen type imported in recent times. This is also possibly the only Hoffmann Vespa ever registered as new in the UK. First registered by Hastings Council to a Walter Chainey of St. Leonards on Sea on the 16th October 1952 it is believed to have been a private import direct from the dealer Onterkorn of Cologne. Mr Chainey then moved to Droitwich and Wolverley, Kidderminster. Our vendors father purchased the scooter on 30th April 1958 from his friend. Since then it has resided in the same house not far from Kidderminster indoors under cover until now. All of this is documented on the RF60. There are also some wonderful images included of the vendors mother by the scooter on a bridge of the M1 just after the motorway was opened circa 1959.
Absolutely untouched with its original engine the scooter is in really marvellous condition. The engine turns and the scooter is complete with its original accessories. Also has its original keys for both steering lock and toolbox. The registration number is no longer on the DVLA system but with the RF60 it should be a formality to regain it to a modern V5C should it remain in the UK. The early Hoffmann Vespas are regarded highly in collectors circles. To encounter one with such originality presents a very rare opportunity to acquire an in-demand model that seldom comes up for sale.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
