Registration No: 664 XVL
Frame No: 02737644
Engine No: 02737644
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt

• Very original appearance
• Most original parts retained throughout
• Running
• V5 present for use on UK roads

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 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 company’s problems and a deal was made with Piaggio to begin production of the Vespa under licence in Britain starting with the ‘Rod model’, launched in March 1951. Piaggio soon regretted this decision and consequently Douglas, despite good build quality, under-performed and was several years behind the Italian models until the late 1950’s when parity was almost made, Then British production ended in the early 1960’s making way for direct Italian imports, although still sold by Douglas. The result in today’s international collectors market is that British built Douglas Vespas have in recent times emerged with a special rarity and collectability status.

Andre Baldet was Frenchman born in July 1923 who settled in England. Starting in a Northampton back street he began selling Vespas and was famed for his exploits on 2 wheels to promote the business. He competed regularly at the Isle of Man Scooter week, undertook huge continental journeys on scooters and even started his own endurance events. Calling the business Moto Baldet and later Glanfield Baldet he became very well known for modifying Vespas and Lambrettas and creating unique paint schemes. Those special editions are very collectible today.

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 precariously 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 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. There were a number of special editions brought out by Douglas of the 92L2 in 1957 to help sales. One of these was the Ultra and they were supplied in a number of colours with windscreen, dual seat and a mudguard crest.

We present here a rare 92L2 Ultra in the rare Regal Red colour. We understand it was discovered in a garage clearance before our vendor. The original number has been lost but the scooter does have a V5C on an age-related plate. The patina of this very rare coloured Vespa is desirable and shows much character with the original Moto Baldet dealer slide still visible. The engine is running but it will not engage into gear. We believe that this may be caused by the cables to the gears which are too long. Being a twin port engine these are suited to the upgrade kits which are now widely available from Pinasco, Bollag and Enderle and inexpensively convert the scooter into being able to compete with modern traffic. We understand that the brakes have been renewed and the hubs and wheel rims are new. The original hubs and when rims are supplied with the lot if all over patina is to be desired. The engine side panel fits nicely when closed. The original Veglia MPH speedometer, Lucas lights front and rear, carburettor with tickler, and Douglas front badge are all present and original Exide battery is in the glove box panel as original. The original red dual seat is present and the seat catch works fine. The seat is usable but the cover is rough. It has had new rear and front shock absorbers fitted. The scooter also comes supplied with the original old reg plate, wheels, hubs and a red saddle as an alternative and a new Vespa Scroll badge.

Handlebar Vespas are in demand and becoming scarce and this version is very rare. Needing some, but not too much work to finish what is a striking looking machine.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Diamond
info@vintagescooters.co.uk
07768 313001