Mark Osborne
Global Director of Motorsport
LOT 101
1951 Vespa Allstate Cruisaire Engine no. 17299
Sold for US$6,325 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 101
1951 Vespa Allstate Cruisaire
1951 Vespa Allstate Cruisaire
Engine no. 17299
Engine no. 17299
125cc 2-Stroke Single Cylinder Engine
Dell'Orto Carburetor
3-Speed Manual Transmission
2-Wheel Drum Brakes
*An icon of post-war design
*"The Vespisti's dream machine"
*Rare American market model
*Voluminous teardrop side panels
*Appears faster standing still than its mechanics are capable of
THE SCOOTER OFFERED
Out of the ashes of war-torn Europe came a need for democratized, cheap and robust transport. There were many notable answers to the question, however, one that has permeated popular culture and has captivated and mobilized even today is the Vespa series of scooters by Piaggio. Starting in 1946 the Vespa came in a variety of engine sizes and trims. Sales steadily took off with the first million scooters being sold by 1956. One of the biggest booms in sales came in 1952 with the Hollywood blockbuster Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, with notable co-star the 1951 Vespa 125cc.
Sold under the Allstate sub-brand Sears sold a wide variety of scooters, from brands such as Cushman, Gilera and Puch as well as Vespa's. However, the 'Luxe' top-of-the-line offerings were always Vespas. These Vespas were virtually identical to their home market counterparts. Some minor differences mainly make the scooters a touch cheaper. Keeping costs down to keep them palatable to Americans who saw them more as toys than major transport. The major atheistic difference was the Allstate being the first Vespa to have the headlight in the upper handlebar nacelle as would become standard, as opposed to on the fender as per European models.
Vespas first appeared in the USA market in 1951. Catalog giant Sears imported a limited number of bikes, which were unique from their home-market counterparts. Most obvious among the differences was the Allstate badging in place of the Vespa name. This model 788-101 is the first year to use the Allstate continental US outline badge, and is one of the first Vespas to have a handlebar-mounted headlight. Sears sold these under the fabulous fifties model name Allstate Cruisaire, and this example is finished in the light green as all Cruisaires were painted. This example also includes the accessory spare tire mount. This lovely and stylish scooter would be at home either as the perfect 'pit bike' for vintage racing, or as the bookend to finish or start the story of Vespas here in America.
Additional information
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