1956 Manufactured Vespa Douglas 92L2
Beautifully restored - one for the serious collector.
Registration No: UOC 248
Frame No: 11636540
Engine No: 04850344
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt
The first time a Vespa was seen in Great Britain was on the stand of motorcycle manufacturer Douglas at the 1949 Motor Cycle Show. The scooter was discovered in Italy by Douglas managing Director Claude McCormack when the company was in the hands of the official receiver. The Vespa presented itself as a solution to the British company’s problems and a deal was made with Piaggio to begin production of the Vespa under license in Britain starting with the ‘Rod model’ launched in March 1951.
Piaggio soon regretted this decision and consequently Douglas, despite good build quality, under-performed and was several years behind the Italian models until the late 1950’s when parity was almost made, Then British production ended in the early 1960’s making way for direct Italian imports, although still sold by Douglas. 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. The many changes on the new ‘world scooter’ design saw a new headlamp layout with a speedometer incorporated and the control switch and various engine improvements were introduced throughout.
These brought the British Vespas up to a 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. The 92L2 had a slightly larger fuel tank over the 42L2 and were sold with a bench seat as standard.
We present here a magnificent 92L2 in correct and very rare Vespa Douglas Blue. Discovered in a house clearance in Bristol together with her original brown registration booklet.
The original registration number has therefore been retained on the new V5C. 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). In his words everything was restored down to the absolute finest detail. It as been rebuilt as a completely standard scooter as it had left the Bristol factory.
The original speedometer was retained on the original chrome handlebars and unaltered. The replacement engine has standard NOS barrel and a complete rebuild of every internal item. The forks were rebuilt using NOS bearings, all of the lights and electronics are original Lucas except with the addition of a Pinasco flywheel but still on 6v.
Everywhere one looks on this scooter is detailed with the correct parts even down to the wheel nuts, NOS leg shield badge, panels rubbers, switches, NOS wiring loom and NOS control cables and covers that look like new. Even the registration plate holder is like new still with its original ‘Vespa’ sticker on the reverse (very cool).
She sits on new period style Michelin S83 tyres. Restored to optimum standard cannot be overstated in this case. A close inspection is recommended to be made on this ‘magazine cover’ scooter.
Please call 07738 531629 to discuss.
Many thanks
Joe
*Please note correct V5 registration Vinyl number plates "UOC 248" are now installed on the bike - the ones fitted to the bike when restored and as shown in the photos were a printing error!