1970 Vespa SS90 Super Sprint

Registration No: TUJ 245H
Frame No: V9SS1T5762
Engine No: V9SS1M5869
CC: 90
MOT: Exempt

• UK registered with very low ownership
• Original parts re-used in the restoration
• Full running condition at the time of consignment
• Correct numbers
• All keys present
• V5 present 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’. During trials, the buzzing noise of the engine and body shape combined for the scooter to be christened the ‘Vespa’ the Italian translation for wasp. From its launch in 1946, it was such a success that it became a symbol of taste, fashion and style and is one of the favourite global design icons of all time, the Vespa.

By the early 1960s, Vespa Douglas, in Great Britain, was importing Italian-built Vespas as opposed to continuing to manufacture them. The Vespa SS90 made between 1965 and 1971 is much sought after by collectors due to its extreme rarity and only just over 5000 were produced. Most of these have been lost to the ravages of time and overly ambitious riders. The SS90 was developed as a sporting variant of the small-frame Vespas. With a dummy fuel tank, a centrally located spare wheel, narrower and more aerodynamic fairing and a pad on top of the dummy tank riders could crouch low behind the headlight to reduce drag at higher speeds. The two-stroke 88.5cc engine used in the Super Sprint is a single-cylinder, air-cooled unit with a bore/stroke of 47/51mm and an 8.7:1 compression ratio. It’s paired with a 4-speed gearbox, the dry weight is 77kg, and the top speed was given as 93kmh (58mph).

This very late 1970 SS90 with only 1 previous owner reported, was at some point taken abroad and re-exported and brought back to the UK. According to the V5 information that we have, DVLA has a record of it having one owner since 1970, suggesting other documentation could be available with them. This Super Sprint was subject to a service by highly regarded PM Tuning in 2019. Viewed at the time of consignment, in excellent running condition with a bright sound and starting easily. Restored in the correct Vespa Red colour, there was foresight to use very many of the important and hard-to-find original parts all over the machine, including: Chrome SS90 Piaggio factory exhaust, all panels and wheels, floor runners, lights and lenses, handgrips, steering lock, and dummy tank with raised badge. We believe it has the original leg shield badge and edging, scroll badges and generally the original parts re-used throughout except the speedo. The scooter has been converted to 12v electrics at some point in its life.

It is seldom that this most rare and sought after Vespa model comes up for sale, especially UK registered from new and with so many original parts. Significant interest is expected.

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