Description
1971 Piaggio Vespa 180cc Rally
Post-World War II Italy was in a bit of a mess and companies like Fiat, Lambretta and Piaggio saw the opportunity for small, cheap and effective forms of transport to get Italy moving again. Piaggio’s contribution was the Vespa, or “wasp”, a diminutive scooter aimed at the women and youth market.
Designed by Corradino d’Ascanio, whose aviation background led to a stressed-skin construction or monocoque chassis, a revolutionary development at the time. At the heart is a buzzing single-cylinder two-stroke engine. Hence the “wasp” name. With very little departure from the original design, all Vespas became instant classics and with the adoption of the scooter by the “Moderns”, or Mods of the 1960s, rivals to the British bike riding Rockers, an international success was born.
The motorbike offered
The 1971 Piaggio Vespa 180cc Rally on offer here has been part of the collection of Glory Motorworks, a Los Angeles-based shop specializing in the motorcycle rental to, and building for TV, film and advertising. The scooter is offered in generally good overall condition, with excellent mechanicals. It starts readily and rides well as can be seen in the video. It is to be sold with a clean, clear California title in frozen registration status (non-op) to avoid accumulating fees for the California buyer.
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