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1950 Vespa Rod Model - Professionally Restored Collectable Classic
Estimated price for orientation: 2 500 $
Category: Scooters and Mopeds
Class:
Description Make: Vespa Engine Size: 125cc Model Year: 1950
1950 Vespa Rod Model - Rare, collectable classic design icon This is a faithfully restored example of the last year of the the legendary “Rod Model” Vespa, so named due to the clever and unique gearshift system utilizing a fully mechanical linkage. Restoration was done in Italy a few years ago and shows very well, but does have some patina to be sure. Paintwork is in the original pale green and shows well. All details are period correct including the unique round taillamp, chrome torpedo muffler, rear mount spare, boxstyle pillion seat, saddle driver’s seat and Italian license plate. Overall cosmetics are very good, some minor weathering, wear and surface discolorations. Mechanically fully rebuilt and sorted, starts, runs and rides well. Performance is period modest and suitable for events and occasions. Not well suited to modern traffic, but very enjoyable to ride with great sensations. Engine, clutch and transmission in fine shape, electrics are good and everything is there and works as expected. It features a 125 cc displacement and the 3-speed transmission which was the top of line in 1950. While not appropriate to be a daily driver, this scooter would be an enjoyable weekend cafe runner, and will be a huge hit at any scooter or collector car event. A solid example of one of the most collectable Vespas, needs nothing, ready for show or go. As a collector bike, this 1950 Vespa should prove a sound investment due to its extreme rarity and the sensitive, professional restoration. Needless to say, these Rod models are extremely rare. They almost unknown in the US, as the first Vespa sold would not hit our shores for two years after this one left the assembly line. A favorite of Italian collectors, the Rod models are certainly fascinating and beautiful. This one was restored in Italy several years ago and has been in collections since. It was certified by the Italian historic vehicle register, and still retains the certification plaque (which can be easily removed). This is a significant scooter for the serious collector. These are not easy to find, especially in this complete and faithfully restored condition, even in Italy. More About the 1950 Vespa Rod Model : By 1950 Vespa had been in production about four years and the novel Vespa ”scooter” concept had begun to catch on. Original sales had grown from some 2,500 units in 1947 to over 20,000 in 1949. These scooters were produced with utility in mind and most were ridden long and hard so that very, very few remain from the early years. This particular model has many unique features and is an exceptional example of the beautiful design and proportions that have made Vespa a style icon for decades. Aficionados love all the special details on these early bikes. It is a very early faro basso (low light – referring to placement of the headlamp on the front fender.) design which many collectors feel is one of the most interesting styling details. The descriptive term “Rod Model” refers to the clever design of the shift linkage which is activated thru the left handlebar twist grip and used a solid rod linkage from the handlebar to the motor to operate the gear change mechanism.. The rod shift linkage is an especially interesting engineering detail. The shift linkage was a tough design problem - how to move the rods in different planes, while still allowing the handlebar to turn. The solution is elegant and ingenious, but very expensive to manufacture and composed of many special parts working together. Later models utilize a much simpler cable system which lacks the mechanical charm of the rod models. In addition to the shift linkage, the 1950 Vespa displays many novel and intriguing design details. The tail light on the Rod Model is especially pretty. The glass lens and chrome bezel are nice touches. The bodywork is one of the most beautiful expressions of the classic Vespa forms. The ridge on the body frame below the seat that really emphasizes the curve of the body. The cut-away motor cowling is also very attractive, and typical of the early scooters.A true piece of machine art.>>>>>>>>>>>>ABOUT BELLO MOTO – Scooters Are Our Passion BELLO MOTO is dedicated to classic scooters from Vespa, Lambretta and unique European brands. We are a small team of enthusiasts with roots in Italy and decades of experience in riding, maintaining and restoring vintage machines. Our San Francisco shop features complete service and restoration facilities, a vast parts inventory and our collection of classic scooters – some of which we offer for sale. Our connections in Italy and Europe are established and trusted, and provide us with a link to rare and unique bikes, from which we select only the most interesting and enjoyable choices.www bellomoto com
Description
| Make: | Vespa | Engine Size: | 125cc |
| Model Year: | 1950 |
1950 Vespa Rod Model - Rare, collectable classic design icon This is a faithfully restored example of the last year of the the legendary “Rod Model” Vespa, so named due to the clever and unique gearshift system utilizing a fully mechanical linkage. Restoration was done in Italy a few years ago and shows very well, but does have some patina to be sure. Paintwork is in the original pale green and shows well. All details are period correct including the unique round taillamp, chrome torpedo muffler, rear mount spare, boxstyle pillion seat, saddle driver’s seat and Italian license plate. Overall cosmetics are very good, some minor weathering, wear and surface discolorations. Mechanically fully rebuilt and sorted, starts, runs and rides well. Performance is period modest and suitable for events and occasions. Not well suited to modern traffic, but very enjoyable to ride with great sensations. Engine, clutch and transmission in fine shape, electrics are good and everything is there and works as expected. It features a 125 cc displacement and the 3-speed transmission which was the top of line in 1950. While not appropriate to be a daily driver, this scooter would be an enjoyable weekend cafe runner, and will be a huge hit at any scooter or collector car event. A solid example of one of the most collectable Vespas, needs nothing, ready for show or go. As a collector bike, this 1950 Vespa should prove a sound investment due to its extreme rarity and the sensitive, professional restoration. Needless to say, these Rod models are extremely rare. They almost unknown in the US, as the first Vespa sold would not hit our shores for two years after this one left the assembly line. A favorite of Italian collectors, the Rod models are certainly fascinating and beautiful. This one was restored in Italy several years ago and has been in collections since. It was certified by the Italian historic vehicle register, and still retains the certification plaque (which can be easily removed). This is a significant scooter for the serious collector. These are not easy to find, especially in this complete and faithfully restored condition, even in Italy. More About the 1950 Vespa Rod Model : By 1950 Vespa had been in production about four years and the novel Vespa ”scooter” concept had begun to catch on. Original sales had grown from some 2,500 units in 1947 to over 20,000 in 1949. These scooters were produced with utility in mind and most were ridden long and hard so that very, very few remain from the early years. This particular model has many unique features and is an exceptional example of the beautiful design and proportions that have made Vespa a style icon for decades. Aficionados love all the special details on these early bikes. It is a very early faro basso (low light – referring to placement of the headlamp on the front fender.) design which many collectors feel is one of the most interesting styling details. The descriptive term “Rod Model” refers to the clever design of the shift linkage which is activated thru the left handlebar twist grip and used a solid rod linkage from the handlebar to the motor to operate the gear change mechanism.. The rod shift linkage is an especially interesting engineering detail. The shift linkage was a tough design problem - how to move the rods in different planes, while still allowing the handlebar to turn. The solution is elegant and ingenious, but very expensive to manufacture and composed of many special parts working together. Later models utilize a much simpler cable system which lacks the mechanical charm of the rod models. In addition to the shift linkage, the 1950 Vespa displays many novel and intriguing design details. The tail light on the Rod Model is especially pretty. The glass lens and chrome bezel are nice touches. The bodywork is one of the most beautiful expressions of the classic Vespa forms. The ridge on the body frame below the seat that really emphasizes the curve of the body. The cut-away motor cowling is also very attractive, and typical of the early scooters.A true piece of machine art.>>>>>>>>>>>>
ABOUT BELLO MOTO – Scooters Are Our Passion BELLO MOTO is dedicated to classic scooters from Vespa, Lambretta and unique European brands. We are a small team of enthusiasts with roots in Italy and decades of experience in riding, maintaining and restoring vintage machines. Our San Francisco shop features complete service and restoration facilities, a vast parts inventory and our collection of classic scooters – some of which we offer for sale. Our connections in Italy and Europe are established and trusted, and provide us with a link to rare and unique bikes, from which we select only the most interesting and enjoyable choices.www bellomoto com