The VB1

The VB1 is an unusual scoot. It has the frame of the handlebar Vespa (almost flat leg shield and hinged engine side cowl that seems to cut into the frame - 2nd photo) and the cast headset of the VS4 GS150 (but with a 60 mph top speedo instead of 80 mph). The engine is 150cc, but the transmission is the Allstate style 3 speed. Top speed 42 mph on level ground. This is a transition scoot to the famous VBB.

I was in Portland, Oregon for the All British Field Meet (British cars and motorcycles) several years ago and found an ad in the local newspaper for an original owner Vespa. The 1958 Vespa VB1 shown in these "Before & After" photos was complete but not running, and had suffered in the wet weather. I paid $100 for it.

The scoot had been spray-canned a couple of times. Underneath the Piaggio tag on the carburetor door was the original color, a metallic silver blue. Computer matched, the paint looks blue next to a silver scoot, and silver next to a blue scoot. Tim of TJ Scoots did a ground up restoration the scooter, not just a paint job.

With the exception of the cowl guards, all the accessories were on the scooter. I did re-chrome the rear rack and recovered the saddle and buddy seat. The red plastic covers on the levers the original owner insisted were on the scooter when he bought it new. That is unlikely, but perhaps he purchased them when he got the bike. They were faded pink on the top, so I swapped the levers side to side and the faded pink in now on the bottom. The cowl guards were NOS pieces I purchased from Vespa Super Shop, still wrapped in brown crepe paper with the Ulna tag held by gold string. The rear fits perfectly with the round rear frame and is clamped on rather than bolted through drilled frame holes.

  Soon after it was restored, the VB1 went into the San Diego Auto Museum motorcycle collection for 2 years. I tried to register the VB1 while it was in the museum, with a park horse-mounted police officer to verify the VIN under new paint on the upper sill of the carb door. His comment; "You've got to be kidding!"  I didn't have the heart since to sand down the paint just for VIN verification. Finally, it was verified this year by an independent DMV agent without removing the paint.

I have searched for period accessories for years. Not visible here is a VB1/VBB windshield with a vinyl apron below the headset to block the wind, and colored to match the VB1 paint. The headlight peers out of the apron with an elastic enclosed snood. A very popular windshield in Europe in the 1950's. I also have a verticle spare tire mount
(between the leg shield and seat) and polished aluminum horn accessory.