The scooters
Why Vietnam?
During the 1960s, Vietnam was the biggest export market for Piaggio (vespa) and Innocenti (lambretta).
We only restore genuine Italian built scooters - not the license built copies made in India or Indonesia.
Italian scooters have been a regular site here since the early 1950s.
In most countries around the world, these scooters have been regarded as a throwaway item. Hence, earlier models are extremely rare and hard to find in restorable condition. In Vietnam, a 200% import duty on all new vehicles means that motorcycles and scooters are the main form of transport for most families. War has also devastated the Vietnamese economy - so it follows that older scooters are cherished and looked after like in no other country.
Scooters have played a major part in everyday life in Vietnam for generations
The most popular models we restore are the Vespa VBB and the
Lambretta series 3 models.
These
scooters are remarkably nippy and cruise comfortably at speeds of up to
58mph, making them ideal commuting vehicles. Both the Vespas and Lambrettas
have high revving, quick accelerating 2 stroke engines, giving the
unmistakable exhaust note that gave Vespa its name - the Italian word for
Wasp.
With their unique stylish design, many of our customers choose to
display them indoors as a piece of artwork, using them mainly for sunny
summer touring! Either way, what you get is a depreciation-proof investment,
along with the knowledge that you own one of the best classic scooters
available worldwide.
