Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tuesday 25th March from 1pm
Auction: Wednesday 26th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1957 Vespa Douglas 92L2
From the Leslie Smith collection
Estimate
£3, 500 - £4, 500
Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: 03846823
MOT: Exempt
Original Douglas parts used throughout
Quality paint work in correct rare blue colour
Part of eminent collection being sold
The 42L2 and 92L2 models although still ‘handlebar’ scooters were a new design and a departure from the previous Douglas Vespa models; The Rod model, and Model G and GL2 which had the headlight perched on the front of the leg shield. The many changes on the new ‘world scooter’ design saw a new headlamp layout with a speedometer incorporated and the control switch and various engine improvements were introduced throughout. These brought the British Vespas up to a parity with the then other ‘world scooters’, the Italian ‘Struzzo’ and French ACMA V56 amongst others. The British Douglas scooters were however painted in different and unique colours from the rest of the world. The 92L2 had a slightly larger fuel tank over the 42L2 and was sold with a bench seat as standard.
We present here a magnificent 92L2 in correct Vespa Douglas Blue. It was restored by Leslie Smith himself using only original NOS Douglas parts although not quite finished. These parts are now extremely hard to obtain. For those who know Les Smith and his passion for all things Douglas Vespa, he was chairman of the Veteran Vespa Club over a long period and is vested in the VVC hall of fame. He amassed a huge collection of parts and memorabilia and was the ‘go to’ man for parts and Douglas information.
On close inspection and in our opinion 100% original NOS parts have been used to the finest detail. It as been rebuilt as a completely standard scooter as it had left the Bristol factory. The original speedometer has only 2 miles on it and sits on the original chrome handlebars. The replacement engine is a Douglas original and we understand has been rebuilt with s standard rebuild of every internal item. Everywhere one looks on this scooter is detailed with the correct parts even down to the wheel nuts, NOS leg shield badge, lights and lenses, panels rubbers, switches, NOS wiring loom and NOS control cables and covers that look like new. Even the unique large registration plate holder with cut corners is like new with an original reflector. The rare rear carrier with spare wheel is present. She sits on new period style Michelin S83 tyres. The scooter is not currently registered but this can be done with the help from the VVC archivists. The reserve is priced to sell.
** 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.
