Classic Vespa small-frame

Here's a speculative one .....

FACT: This is a very early Vespa model VMA1 from 1967. Originally silver as they all were.

Bought from Lady Dugdale, who bought the machine from Isabel, Duchess of Devonshire in the early 1970s. Both ladies are/were personal friends of our Queen.

Lady Dugdale purchased the machine to 'rest' the Bentley during the fuel crisis, but didn't feel comfortable. Unfortunately her son Edward used the machine around the estate tracks, inevitably ending up in a ditch one day! Although he survived to tell the tale, the poor Vespa had it's forks crunched back so far the tyre dented the underside of the frame!

THIS MACHINE IS A WRITE OFF

RUMOUR: It is understood the machine was one given to the Queen by Douglas of Kingswood (enabled them to continue to use the royal 'By Appointment' cypher).

Of interest to the most masochistic of Vespa restorers (the front would have to be cut off, and the back welded to the remains of another machine), or someone willing to research the history (chassis number is still there) and possibly have a unique royal memento.

Buyer collects within 14 days of end of auction.

Cash on collection - Folkestone, Kent