Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1954 Vespa Douglas Model G
Contender for the best Model G to be found anywhere
Estimate
£13, 000 - £15, 000
Registration No: OXV 898
Frame No: 5414775
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt
One previous owner from new
Incredible provenance with full detailed history from new
Original brown buff log book present
Registered new on 4th June 1954
One of only an estimated 28 model G survivors in the world*
Now fully running with V5C
* Source VVC Veteran Vespa club
The model G was launched in 1954 and differed from the Douglas rod model in that the gear control was by cable replacing the rod shift of earlier models. Despite this advancement the model G was still only on a par with the Italian V30 which had had the same dimensions and mechanical features since 1950. Douglas were that far behind in development terms. The result in todays international collectors market is that British built Douglas Vespas have in recent times emerged with a really special rarity and collectibility status.
Only 3299 Douglas Vespa G models were produced and all in 1954 (much less than the Rod Model) and only an estimated 28 survive today making this one of the rarest Vespas of all time. Painted in metallic green only with 3 speed and 125cc engine the G retained the beautiful lines and shape of the very early Italian Vespas except that the headlight was located on the front of the leg shield to comply with British road regulations.
We present here ‘Guenevere’ a magnificent and extremely original Model G. Sold new to its only previous owner Clive Wilbur by London scooter dealer Kensington Scooters for 135 pounds 5 shillings and 2 pence (the original bill of sale is with the scooter). The original brown buff log book is present with only one owner entry. The scooter was discovered in a probate house clearance and in such an astonishing fashion as she was found with an incredible haul of original documentation relating to the scooter and the short lived ‘London Scooter club’. Every bill in the short time the scooter was on the road was retained, and found with the scooter like an actual time warp had occurred. Also included are the fuel ration book, insurance books, detailed information of the rallies the scooter went on, accessory purchases and much more. A complete history file with a time warp scooter. We can deduce from studying the history that the scooter was involved in an accident in 1955 and repaired and that during its very short time on the road it covered a respectable 12, 103 miles. Some of those miles were taken up with a trip to France and Germany which is documented and also physically with the mounting of a large number of regional transfer and period stickers on the inside of the leg shield. Guinevere was last taxed in 1960 and at that point was laid up in a garage to sleep for 62 years before being discovered in 2022 in a house clearance.
Last year our vendor commissioned Vespa Douglas expert Matthew Phillips to recommission the engine which was done with genuine period Douglas parts wherever necessary. The barrel needed a slight re-bore and new (genuine Douglas) clutch, new gear selector cruciform and the flywheel was re-magnetised. The remarkable lustre of the original paint has been achieved by merely polishing it. There are no touch ups anywhere that can be seen. At the time of recommissioning the only other things that were done to make the scooter useable were that the optional brake light switch was repaired and that the inner cables were replaced, the outer cables being left in place. The speedometer is the original as it was simply cleaned and found to be in fully working and remarkable condition. We are told that the front light bulb is the original, its did not need to be replaced! Everything original is still there from the Douglas horncast transfer to the elusive black control switch.
In the file there are 2 photographs of the scooter taken at the time in 1954 and the other notable feature from that is that ‘Guinevere’ was treated to some of the best accessories on the market. The scooter is supplied with an original receipt from Nannucci Accessories of London and original accessory brochures, extremely collectible in their own right. Many of the accessories are still with the scooter including the incredibly rare original floor mounted auxiliary fuel tank and a rare hinged pillion seat. Small details abide everywhere on the scooter including the original raised plastic letters and numbers on the rear registration plate and rear red bullet lights. The rare front bumper that was original to the scooter and horncast embellisher all purchased from Nannucci, the Ulma dealers of London. The scooter is also offered with its original Dunlop and Pirelli tyres but now of course is running on new B13s. The original battery is in place but a new lithium battery is being used but utilising the original Bakelite connections.
The scooter when found in 2022 was featured in ‘Scootering Magazine’ No. 434 August 2022. It was previously sold at the H and H Scooter Auction in December 2022 and now in its fully preserved condition and full detailed history must be a match and contender for the best Model G to be found anywhere. It is now registered to be used on the road with its original number. This is a major opportunity for a serious collector of rare vintage Vespas. It is truly magnificent.
