'68 Sprint

[Devo McDuff]

sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-motorbikes-motorcycles-scooters-Classic-Vespa-Sprint-1968-W0QQAdIdZ204256044#

I might go an take a look at his. Any advice or specific questions I should be asking?

[Spence]

Hm. Well mine's a 67 and it's got the trapezoid headlight, a 'Vespa S' legshield badge, a scrolly 'Vespa Sprint' badge on the back of the frame between the seat and the rear light (which, I might add, is totally different from his), a chrome legshield trim and chrome trims on the sides of the front mudguard and the side panels. I don't know if the model changed that radically between 67 and 68, or if it was just totally different overseas; someone else might be able to confirm or deny that.

Also, his "near flawless" appears to include a significant dent in the toolbox hatch, so if I were you I'd have a good look round it for other damage or filler.

I see he's also asking $3500 for it, which is just over £2000. Now mine's insured for £1600, and it's a multiple award winning scooter - so feel free to go to my Facebook profile, print off those two photos of it in glorious Norfolk technicolour, and show them to him. Then offer him £1,739.20 (or £1000) which is what I reckon it's worth.

If he is going overseas as he says in his ad, he'll want rid of it. If he doesn't come drastically down on the price, walk away and find something else.

[Spence]

Devo I'm doing some research here and all the photos I can find of 1968 Sprints look just like mine with the trapezoid headlight.

What this bloke's selling looks to me like it might be a Sprint Veloce, which had the round headlight (although the trim on his doesn't look as chunky as the Veloce, more like a Rally), and Piaggio didn't start making the Veloce until 1969 as far as I'm aware.

www.elogioallavespa.it/vespa150sveloce.jpg

Take care with this one - he may well be genuine himself but was sold a lemon and he doesn't know it.

[Devo McDuff]

Thanks Spence, that's very handy info mate.

Did you across this page www.scooterlounge.com/Vespa/Sprint/Sprint.shtml ?

Some of the info there makes me think it might be an American Sprint Veloce, like the grey handle-grips and the circular headlight.

I'm not sure why it doesn't have a badge above the rear light ... could that indicate it's a re-badged Bajaj maybe?

Yes, I clocked the dent on the side panel hatch as well, minor stuff like that won't bother me too much though as I'm only going to be a temporary owner plus as you mention, it could prove useful in trying to knock the price down!

Prices do seem to be a bit daft here, I think I was being conservative when I said the premium was about a third.

I think I will go and take a look though anyway as unless you want to pay really daft money there doesn't seem to be much knocking about at the moment. I need to get over to Manly (where the scoot is) for a butchers at the area anyway

I've also been in contact briefly with the guy and he seems pretty genuine on the surface but I get the feeling he doesn't know that much about Vespas. He says it registered for a year (over here you have to register it every year and that includes tax and basic insurance), that he has had it 2 years and bought it from an old Italian guy (though that sounds a little bit suss).

I found this page too. www.scooterlounge.com/Vespa/Gen/Gen.shtml. Some great tips for what to look for when inspecting potential scoots to buy.

[Spence]

Oh well, at the very least you'll get to take the ferry trip across the harbour, which is the best way to get that famous view of the Sydney skyline. Let me know how you get on, but $3500 is TOO MUCH!

[Ilan]

3500$ does sound too much
what about a pre restored one?

problem with restored ones (besides the price) is that you cant really know whats under the makeup and how good the job got done
could be cm of filler....

so in any way you should try to inspect the btm side of the floor board, the rear in the engine mount area , and other hidden places

[Devo McDuff]

There's not much point in me picking up something that needs restoring Rudi as I only want it to get my scootering fix while I'm here in the sun (though it's actually been pishing it down for about a week now!) down under for the next 8 or 9 months.

I'll give it a thorough going over (as much as I'm capable of at least) and take it for a spin to check the gears and that are moving smoothly and then if he will come down significantly on the price maybe somet will happen.

I know what a scoot with filler in looks and feels like as my PX has plenty of it (thanks to bleedin' Rusholme drivers), not that I ever plan to part with the old girl anyway

I'm going to have to accept that I am going to have a to pay a bit over the odds though as for one they are over-priced here and two I can't wait 6 months to find the perfect compromise of quality and price. Will let you know how I get on.

[Devo McDuff]

I took a look at the scoot and liked it but won't be making an offer. Although it had quite a bit of rust I think it would have tidied up fine with a little bit of work, the brakes seemed okay and no major body damage or problems with bearings or anything. The problem was that when I was taking it for a test spin after about 15 minutes when I opened it up and got it to high revs in 3rd it chugged and then just died completely. It started up okay again with the choke but I'm staying clear. The guy seemed pretty sound and genuine and said it doesn't normally do that but I'm not taking any risks.

Also, I posted on a few Aussie scooter forums and they all thought the price was about right. So it looks like I am going to have to pay considerably over the odds but I suppose that also means I'm likely to get it back when I come to sell next year.

Back to the drawing board then eh. Still, I had a nice ferry trip and can now add the Sprint Veloce to the list of Vespas I've ridden PX, PK and T5 being the others.