Registration No: OXV 898
Frame No: 5414775
Engine No: 5414775
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt

• One owner from new
• Incredible provenance with full detailed history
• Original Brown buff logbook present
• Sold on the 31^st May, 1954 by Kensington Scooters
• Registered new on 4th June 1954
• One of only an estimated 28 Model G survivors in the world*
• Great investment and collector opportunity

* 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 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 Bristol in England starting with the ‘Rod model’ launched in March 1951. The Model G was launched in 1954 and differed from the rod model in that the gear control was by cable replacing the rod shift of earlier models. Despite this advancement the Model G was still only on a par with the Italian V30 which had had the same dimensions and mechanical features since 1949. Douglas were that far behind in development terms. The result in today’s international collectors market is that British-built Douglas Vespas have in recent times emerged with a really special rarity and collectability status.

Only 3299 Douglas Vespa G models were produced and all in 1954 (much less than the Rod Model) and only an estimated 28 survive today. Painted in Metallic Green only with 3 speed and 125cc engine, the G retained the beautiful lines and shape of the very early Italian Vespas except that the headlight was located on the front of the leg shield.

We present here ‘Guinevere’ a magnificent and utterly untouched Model G. Sold new by Kensington Scooters for 135 pounds 5 shillings and 2 pence (the original bill of sale is with the scooter). The original Brown buff logbook is present with only one owner entry. The scooter was discovered recently in a probate house clearance and in such an astonishing fashion as she was found with an incredible haul of original documentation relating to the scooter and the short-lived London Scooter club. Every bill in the short time the scooter was on the road was retained, and found with the scooter like an actual time warp had occurred. Also included are the fuel ration book, insurance books, detailed information of the rallies the scooter went on, accessory purchases and much more. A complete history file with a time warp scooter. We can deduce from studying the history that the scooter was involved in an accident in 1955 and repaired and that during its very short time on the road it covered a respectable 12,103 miles. Some of those miles were taken up with a trip to France and Germany which is documented and also physically with the mounting of a large number of regional transfer and period stickers on the inside of the leg shield. The engine does turn over (not seized) but no attempt has been made to start it. Guinevere was last taxed in 1960 and at that point was laid up in a garage to sleep for 62 years before being discovered earlier this year.

In the file there are 2 photographs of the scooter taken at the time in 1954 and the other notable feature from that is that ‘Guinevere’ was treated to some of the best accessories on the market. The scooter is supplied with an original receipt from Nannucci Accessories of London and original accessory brochures, extremely collectible in their own right. Many of the accessories are still with the scooter, including the incredibly rare original floor-mounted auxiliary fuel tank. A more detailed story can be found in the Scootering magazine August 2022. This is a major opportunity for a serious collector of vintage Vespas.

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