Registration No: HAU 351N
Frame No: 3308
Engine No: V5A2M 246156
CC: 50
MOT: Exempt
The Piaggio industrial group was devastated by the consequences of World War 2. Amongst the projects muted to rescue the company was an idea to help mobilise the Italian public with a new transport concept ‘the motor scooter’. From its launch in 1946 it was such a success that it has become a symbol of taste, fashion and style and is one of the favourite global design icons of all time, The Vespa.
The Vespa Pedali V5A1T was created in 1971 with the French market in mind. The regulations there meant that pedals were required to allow the mopeds into the bicycle category and thus required no license plate. The 49.77cc 2 stroke engine with a standard kickstart also incorporated a special chain mechanism with pedals that drove the unique rear hub and propelled the scooter forward in this fashion. It could also be used with the kickstart as a standard scooter. Much else was like a standard Vespa 50 with coil spring and hydraulic shock absorber on both wheels. The other noticeable difference was that the special frame was narrowed at the footboards and a cover attached to protect the chain sprocket mechanism at the front. The rear hub was also a completely unique design also to allow a sprocket to catch the rear drive of the chain. It was the only Vespa built with these unique features and these models are extremely collectible amongst serious Vespa collectors. Some models were sold new in Italy and Great Britain but this was a very rare occurrence. It is unfortunate that in many cases the owners simply disconnected the pedals and threw them away.
This 50 Pedalo is a very rare find indeed. She is on the UK DVLA system as first registered January 1975. From this we can deduce that she was sold new in the UK at that time. She was discovered by 2 Wheeled engineering of Nottingham who sold the scooter to our vendor. She has since been treated to a very high-quality restoration by Disco Dez Scooters in the correct Vespa Yellow colour of time after being discovered in a Blue colour. She has had the full works as a standard scooter including a fully rebuilt standard engine on 6v points, new cables, lights, speedometer, brakes and wiring. Throughout, ‘HAU’ presents like new and we were able to start the scooter on first kick and our consultant was able to ride the scooter on the road, at the time of consignment. Under the pedal mechanism cover, we were able to see that much of the front mechanism is still attached but that some pieces have been removed. The unique rear hub is still in place. It is understood that the pedals, chain and other pieces are very rare but with patience can be found in the collectors market (see diagram photo). This most rare and sought-after Vespa model seldom comes onto the market.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Diamond
info@vintagescooters.co.uk
07768 313001
Auction: National Motorcycle Museum, 7th Dec, 2022
An auction of classic motorcycles & vintage scooters
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Wednesday 7th December 2022, from 9am
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