Post war in Italy, the manufacturing industry was on its knees and especially the heavy industries more used to producing aircraft for the Italian war effort.

One of those companies, Piaggio, were looking for a way forward and Enrico Piaggio, son of the company’s founder, came up with an idea to produce a modern mode of transport for the general public which above all would need to be affordable. 

The Vespa scooter brand was born, Vespa translating to wasp in English & it quickly became a design icon.

The rest as they say is history, with Vespas being ridden and recognised all over the world.

Seen today as very trendy bikes for getting around town, very manoeuvrable, light weight and of course easy to park, they haven’t moved away very much from that original post war design, but that’s the attraction, certainly in Europe.

Further afield, they can be seen in more of a utilitarian role, transporting goods & families especially throughout the far east, as they go about their daily business.

The Vespa SS90 was a sporty variant with only just over 5,000 models built between 1965 & finish of production in 1971 making them one of the rarest production models.

They featured a false fuel tank (which in fact doubles up as a storage space ) with a pad for the rider to lie on which helped to gain a little more speed and also a centrally mounted spare wheel.

Well, manufactured in 1970 that we do know, but this SS90 was purchased in a very sorry state, from Indonesia before being shipped back to the United Kingdom in 2012.

From here it was immediately sent over to a German specialist for a full ground up restoration, which was completed and returned to its UK owner in 2013.

Subsequently & with the help of the Vintage Motor Scooter Club, gained an age-related registration number and was registered for use on British roads.

Used very selectively since by its current owner and now available to purchase.

There is a current V5c registration document in the vendors name, a dating letter from The Vintage Motor Scooter Club, a customs charges form & an Indonesian registration document.

With this Vespa being fully restored only a few years ago, it’s fair to say that it looks great overall and resplendent in dark blue paintwork.

The SS90 has had a little chance to tone down from its fresh coat of paint, but it would appear all the better for a little ageing.

Everything has been restored and painted accordingly from what we could see, tank, fairing, wheels, suspension, nothing has been ignored.

The seat has either been replaced or completely restored to its current state & all badges & chrome work is excellent.

The vendor has recently replaced the speedo with an original rare Veglia item in MPH. It reads 25,000 miles (which needs to be ignored as it’s covered very few miles since completion) ) but finishes off this Vespa very well.  

The engine when received in Germany was deemed beyond restoration and so a different unit was built up and installed. 

This new unit has been upgraded with a Polini big bore kit, taking the engine capacity up to 135cc & of course giving the Vespa a lot more punch. This is complemented by a 25mm dellorto carb and Vespa Tronic electronic ignition.

The original engine should still be available after discussion with the vendor.

Suspension & brakes too have been restored and we are told work very well.

These Vespa Super Sprint 90’s are exceptionally rare beasts and are pretty much the Holly Grail of Vespa scooters.

This one has been very well restored & upgraded which makes for a great riding bike, reliable & more than capable of keeping up with modern traffic …..and seeing off fellow scooterists when required.

Ride it, show it, enjoy it but above all use it , you’ll have trouble finding a better one !