1952 Vespa Douglas Rod Model

Registration No: HMH 613
Frame No: 0610900
MOT: Exempt

• Huge history file
• In full running condition with V5C
• Engine No: 1026607
• Wonderful patina

The first time a Vespa was seen in Great Britain was on the stand of motorcycle manufacturer Douglas at the 1949 Motor Cycle Show. 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 ‘Rod’ was slow to market and featured the same eternal design as the 1949 Italian ‘Bacchetta’ save for the position of the head light. Douglas were that far behind in development terms launching a year late and only producing 300 scooters per month by 1952. 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 11,848 Douglas Vespa Rod models were produced between April 1951 and 1954. It is believed only around 100 survive*.

Our vendor discovered this Rod Model in Surrey around 9 years ago in 2016 and purchased it from the descendants of a Kenneth Williams of South Croydon the last known name on the original RF60 logbook which is supplied with the lot. There is also a receipt included in the huge history file showing Mr Williams purchasing it from a Keith Doyle for the princely sum of £42 and 10 shillings in 1958. The scooter was first registered on November 28th 1952. The chassis is showing as a June 1951 model, number 900 off the production line, as was common in the days to use another frame that may have been to hand if the scooter had been damaged. It is currently in completely standard condition save for 12V electronic ignition and of course the wonderful overpaint that looks to have been done a very long time ago. Dozens of original receipts are included from day one and come from a myriad of long gone but famous scooter shops of the time including Arty Shaws, Godfrey’s, Withers, Halfords and Suttons. Also supplied are MOTs and tax discs from the 1960s, original operation handbook, modern repair manual and original insurance documents for Mr Williams from the 1950s onwards. All of this combines to paint the perfect picture in depth of the entire life of the scooter. In modern times the scooter has been fully serviced with new cables, wheel bearings, seals and clutch by Wessex Scooters. During these improvements all of the old nuts and bolts were retained and re-used and period accessory cable covers used to hide the cables. Pleasingly original details are seen everywhere. The original speedometer was sent off to specialist Bartram Speedos for refurbishment. The original green paint can be seen under the red and may be able to be revealed. The paint has been left untouched since discovery. The scooter has some rare accessories including an original and hard to find full Avon windscreen, rare rear carrier, super rare period seat cover and passenger pad and Radyot tax disc holder. Apart from the comprehensive history file the scooter is supplied with a large amount of original sales information and parts.

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