Mark Osborne
Global Director of Motorsport
LOT 101
1959 Vespa 150 GS VS5T Frame no. VS5T 0065454 Engine no. VS5M 0067282
Sold for US$16,100 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 101
1959 Vespa 150 GS VS5T
1959 Vespa 150 GS VS5T
Frame no. VS5T 0065454
Engine no. VS5M 0067282
Frame no. VS5T 0065454
Engine no. VS5M 0067282
145.6cc 2-Stroke Single Cylinder Engine
Del'Orto Carburetor
8bhp at 7,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
2-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Ultimate 3rd Series development
*Top of the range competition derived model
*An icon of post-war design
*"The Vespisti's dream machine"
*British 'Mod' favorite
*Square configuration, bore and stroke
*Voluminous teardrop side panels
THE VESPA SCOOTER
In the immediate post-war period in Europe there was a need for mobility whilst car production was getting back up to speed, enter Piaggio and Innocenti who answered the call with their brilliant and very stylish Vespa and Lambretta designs. From the initial basic machines of the mid-1940s came the beautifully voluptuous models of the 1950s, namely the Vespa 150 Gran Sporte which proved to be a gauntlet to Innocenti who subsequently penned their somewhat flawed masterpiece the Turismo Veloce 175. These models from competing firms generated heated exchanges over the dinner table between passionate Vespisti and Lambrettisti. Of course both were utterly superb models, both represented high points in Scooter design, and today these two models are the most sought after by collectors.
In his book Vespa 1946-2006, 60 years of the VESPA Giorgio Sarti states; "The GS is one of the most important models in Vespa production and one of the most sought after by collectors".
The Gran Sporte VS5T design followed on from the previous 4 iterations of the model with the most obvious upgrade being extensive finning of the brake drum. The VS5T was the ultimate expression of 150 GS development prior to the less popular 160 GS launched in 1961.
As a piece of industrial design, the 150 GS could be measured in importance alongside the Leica IIIf and the ref. 6204 Rolex Submariner - it has gobs of style and was as essential to the British 'Mod' of the early 1960s as a pair of J.M. Weston 180 loafers or a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Mods individualized their machines with an array of accessories including mirrors, additional lights and mascots, in addition the GS legend was applied to the leg shields in oversized letters in an American collegiate style - see the example ridden by Sting as Ace Face in the 1979 movie by the The Who, Quadrophenia, which was set in 1964.
THE SCOOTER OFFERED
This particular example was discovered in non-running but highly original condition over ten years ago and given a complete ground up restoration by Oregon based marque authority, Patrick Fitzgibbons of P-Town Scooters. It is possible that it was used in competition events as it featured an ABARTH twin-pipe exhaust, now replaced by a replica unit. It is finished – as all 150 GS examples were – in metallic aluminum grey (in period,15005 by Max Meyer) and features a dark green two-seat saddle.
This beautifully restored GS has covered only test miles since restoration and will need running in.
These charismatic, stylish and very cool machines epitomize 1950s/60s youth culture chic and make a wonderful talking point as a pit bike at historic race events. They are well supported by owners' clubs and are popular for touring and sporting events. Any visitor to the Mecca of 1950s/60s motoring nostalgia, the Goodwood Revival will have noticed the popular and much-admired display of gleaming customized Mod scooters parked outside of the Hair Salon. They sit well in an entrance hall or personal office as usable art between outings, such is their iconic design status...
Saleroom notices
Please note: Lot 101 has been changed from section 1 to section 3 Title in transit.
Additional information
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