Along with the rival Lambretta, the Piaggio-built Vespa mobilised an entire generation of Italians in the immediate post-war years, the hitherto humble scooter going on to become part of British youth culture in the 1960s as favourite transport of the fashion-conscious ‘mods’. With foresight conspicuously lacking in the rest of Britain’s motorcycle industry at that time, Douglas obtained manufacturing rights to the Vespa, launching it in the UK in 1951. Apart from the use of some British-made components, changes to the original design were confined to shifting the headlamp from mudguard to apron top. Since its introduction, countless different versions have come and gone, yet the Vespa of today remains recognisably related to the first one made almost 60 years ago. This machine is an example of the nominally 150cc (actually 145.45cc) Vespa, a popular capacity first offered in 1954. It is a ‘second generation’ 150, a type launched in 1958, and boasts the new look that had first appeared on the 125 the previous year. The machine’s accompanying Norwegian registration papers (issued June 1993) appear to indicate that it was first registered in that country on 9th June 1960. It is offered with instruction manual, Haynes workshop manual, sundry parts invoices, parts catalogue and price lists.
Along with the rival Lambretta, the Piaggio-built Vespa mobilised an entire generation of Italians in the immediate post-war years, the hitherto humble scooter going on to become part of British youth culture in the 1960s as favourite transport of the fashion-conscious ‘mods’. With foresight conspicuously lacking in the rest of Britain’s motorcycle industry at that time, Douglas obtained manufacturing rights to the Vespa, launching it in the UK in 1951. Apart from the use of some British-made components, changes to the original design were confined to shifting the headlamp from mudguard to apron top. Since its introduction, countless different versions have come and gone, yet the Vespa of today remains recognisably related to the first one made almost 60 years ago. This machine is an example of the nominally 150cc (actually 145.45cc) Vespa, a popular capacity first offered in 1954. It is a ‘second generation’ 150, a type launched in 1958, and boasts the new look that had first appeared on the 125 the previous year. The machine’s accompanying Norwegian registration papers (issued June 1993) appear to indicate that it was first registered in that country on 9th June 1960. It is offered with instruction manual, Haynes workshop manual, sundry parts invoices, parts catalogue and price lists.
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