1954 Vespa Douglas Model G

Registration No: OXV 898
Frame No: 5414775
MOT: Exempt

• One previous owner from new
• Incredible provenance with full detailed history from new
• Original brown buff logbook present
• Registered new on 4th June 1954
• One of only an estimated 28 model G survivors in the world (VVC Veteran Vespa Club)
• Now fully running with V5C

The model G was launched in 1954 and differed from the Douglas 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 1950. 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 collectibility status.

Only 3,299 Douglas Vespa G models were produced and all in 1954 (much less than the Rod Model) and only an estimated 28 survive today (VVC Veteran Vespa Club) making this one of the rarest Vespas of all time. 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 to comply with British road regulations.

We present here ‘Guenevere’, a magnificent and extremely original Model G in full conserved running order. The scooter was discovered 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’. In the short time the scooter was on the road it was retained like a time warp had occurred and covering a respectable 12,103 miles. Some of those were taken up with a trip to France and Germany in 1955, which is documented and also by the physical mounting of a large number of regional transfer and period stickers on the inside of the leg shield. The G was last taxed in 1960, at that point was laid up in a garage to sleep for 62 years before being discovered in 2022. Last year our vendor commissioned Vespa Douglas expert Matthew Phillips to recommission the engine which was done with genuine period Douglas parts. The remarkable lustre of the original paint has been achieved by merely polishing it. We are told that the front light bulb is the original! The scooter when found in 2022 was featured in ‘Scootering' magazine No. 434, August 2022. It was sold at the H and H scooter auction in December 2022 and now in its fully preserved condition and with a detailed history, must be a contender for the best Model G to be found anywhere. It is now registered to be used on the road with the V5C and its original number.

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