Registration No: BOE 82A
Frame No: VSB1T 0031393
Engine No: VSB1M 0031693
CC: 160
MOT: Exempt

• High quality restoration in 2002 by Gran Sport for a prestigious customer
• Only display use since restoration
• Correct numbers
• V5 for use on UK roads

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’. Aeronautical engineer Corradino d’Ascanio, normally associated with inventing helicopters, was given the job of designing the scooter. From the first appearance of the Vespa in 1946 it was such a success that it has become a symbol of taste, fashion and style and one of the favourite global design icons of all time.

The GS (Gran Sport) was the culmination of all of the speed racers and trial versions of Vespa that had gone before including the famous Sei Giorni’ factory racers. It was the first mass produced sport Vespa to enter the market. The GS150 production started at the beginning of 1955 and the ‘Vespone’ or big wasp was a tremendous overall success. A great many of the features experimented on the Sei Giorni racers transitioned to the GS. Larger 10 inch ‘star’ wheels, 4 gears in a 150cc 8 HP engine and a new body design.

Launched in 1962 the GS160 was quite a departure from the earlier 150 version and marked the beginning of the new era of the more powerful and many would say more reliable Vespas. With a larger cylinder and clutch the engine case being altered and with spare wheel mounted on the left side of the body. Almost every internal engine part was changed and a different air box and carburettor were used. This necessitated even wider engine cowls than the 150 and the most pleasing and the widest (yet still rounded) ‘behind’ ever seen on a Vespa. And it helped credibility being the fastest standard Italian scooter on the road for a short period in 1962 before Lambretta could launch their TV200 (it was reportedly faster than the TV175). The GS160 Mk2 differed in that the large luggage box inside the leg shield replaced the small boot seen on the Mk1. Overall with a fairly blistering performance of 8.9 HP and with rounded design features that hid the spare wheel and internalised the luggage the GS160 Mk2 is regarded by many as the pinnacle best combination of Vespa performance and style.

This example was discovered and imported from Italy around the year 2000. It was then treated to a ‘no-expense spared’ restoration in 2002 by Gran Sport Scooters Birmingham who were regarded as the finest scooter restoration company in the UK. The restoration was commissioned by the highly regarded prestige classic car dealer Peter Jarvis who wanted the highest quality job done. It was then on display in Mr Jarvis’s showroom for almost two decades before it was passed to our clients. She has full keys and adorned with a number of crash bars and other accessories including Scootopia ‘Ulma’ style Florida bars. She will need some light commissioning as the scooter was never used since the restoration was done, certainly to the tank and fuel lines. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful looking example of a highly in-demand model that seldom come up for sale.

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