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
1952 Vespa Douglas Rod Model
Extremely original
Estimate
£9, 000 - £11, 000
Registration No: WXG 156
Frame No: 11227863
MOT: Exempt
Multiple show winner
Conservation by Maskes Vespa Classics at a cost of over £3000
Matching numbers
* Source VVC Veteran Vespa club
The first time a Vespa was seen in Great Britain was on the stand of motorcycle manufacturer Douglas at the 1949 Motor Cycle Show. The scooter was discovered in Italy by Douglas Motorcycles managing Director Claude McCormack when the company was in the hands of the official receiver. The Vespa presented itself as a solution to the British companies problems and a deal was made with Piaggio to begin production of the Vespa under licence in Bristol in England starting with the ‘Rod model’ launched in March 1951. The ‘Rod’ model was slow to market and featured the same eternal design as the 1949 Italian ‘Bacchetta’ save for the position of the head light. Douglas were that far behind in development terms launching a year late and only producing 300 scooters per month by 1952. 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 11848 Douglas Vespa Rod models were produced from April 1951 and 1954. It is believed only around 100 survive*.
Our vendor discovered this scooter on a farm near Stoke on Trent approximately 12 years ago. Discovered in ‘pure’ state in original paint and complete. It transpired that the scooter was only on the road for 3 years last being used in 1955 before being dry barn stored according the the tax disc on the scooer when found. With period accessories and embellishers it also has rare parts such as the fuel measuring cup and gauze filter. Also present are the original hand grips ad the extremely rare to see original black bakelite control switch. The conservation was entrusted to global vintage Vespa expert Peter Maske in the Netherlands with instructions not to alter the originality at all. The result is that the scooter is now performing perfectly but is completely standard as original. The rear carrier and leg shield trim are also as original. It even has the original Pirelli tyre it was discovered with used as a spare. Registered with a V5C on the road with a reissued number it is ready to be enjoyed.
The scooter has since won multiple awards at various shows including: Best original Scooter at the Bridlington National Scooter Rally 2016, SLUK top scooter of 2016, Best in show at the VCB Croft circuit annual 2016. It has also been used by the legendary Paddy Smith as the subject of one of his patches for Vespa World Days 2017. Supplied the lot are the original oil cans as seen in the photographs and the aforementioned trophies.
** 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.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
