By Carol Short
The introduction of the Vespa to the UK has been subject to a fair amount of sanitisation. The reality was that, despite their fairly impressive factory and history, Douglas were completely broke. The Italians gave Douglas not only the UK market but also large areas of the globe covered by Commonwealth countries e.g. Clearly Piaggio were expecting big-scale production from Douglas. At the end of the day you can’t blame Douglas for using every trick to keep their factories busy.
The result in today’s international collectors market is that British built Douglas Vespas have in recent times emerged with a special rarity and collectability status. The 42L2 and 92L2 models although still ‘handlebar’ scooters were a new design and a departure from the previous Douglas Vespa models; The Rod model, and Model G and GL2 which had the headlight precariously perched on the front of the leg shield. These brought the British Vespas up to parity with the then other ‘world scooters’, the Italian ‘Struzzo’ and French ACMA V56 amongst others. The British Douglas scooters were however painted in different and unique colours from the rest of the world. There were a number of special editions brought out by Douglas of the 92L2 in 1957 to help sales.
Calling the business Moto Baldet, and later Glanfield Baldet, he became very well known for modifying Vespas and Lambrettas. The 42L2 and 92L2 models were a new design and a departure from the previous Douglas Vespa models; There were a number of special editions by Douglas, of the 92L2 in 1957, to help sales. We present here a rare Ultra in the Regal Red colour. The original number has been lost but the scooter does have a V5C on an age-related plate. The patina of this very rare colour Vespa is desirable and shows much character with the original Moto Baldet dealer slide still visible.
The 42L2 and 92L2 models although still ‘handlebar’ scooters were a new design and a departure from the previous Douglas Vespa models; The Rod model, and Model G and GL2 which had the headlight precariously perched on the front of the leg shield. The British Douglas scooters were however painted in different and unique colours from the rest of the world. We present here a magnificent 92L2 in correct Vespa Douglas Blue. Vespa Douglas historian Matthew Phillips as the custodian of large reserves of original ex-dealers Douglas parts stock was able to restore this magnificent example using 100% original NOS parts (except for the replacement seat and Pinasco flywheel). Even the registration plate holder is like new still with its original ‘Vespa’ sticker on the reverse.
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boney Hooked 74 Rally 200 Joined:Posts: 140Location: Sonomaquote Oldie_goldie wrote: koenig blues wrote: is that ur bike james? In that year, the name was changed to:DGM = Direzione Generale Motorizzione, translated is Directorate General of Motor vehicles. These numbers have nothing to do with where a scooter was made. They are the certificate number issued by the Italian government showing that these bikes conform the Italian specifications for use on their motorways. In that year, the name was changed to:DGM = Direzione Generale Motorizzione, translated is Directorate General of Motor vehicles.They are the certificate number issued by the Italian government showing that these bikes conform the Italian specifications for use on their motorways.
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GLscoot Molto Verboso Vespa GS150, Messerschmitt GS150 Joined:Posts: 1062Location: Glasgowquote this is from the vvc. "Rod" model 1951-5"Rod" is retro term referring to gear change mechanism - scooter was marketed as just "Vespa 125" The spec was basically that of the Piaggio 1949 model which had just been replaced. The headlight on British production was moved to the leg shields in deference to local lighting regulations. When demand outstripped supply, a quantity of the equivalent Piaggio model (the VNA) were imported. Sportique 1961-65Douglas stopped producing 125cc Vespas and built instead a version of the current Piaggio 150cc model - the VBB.
