VESPISTI AROUND THE WORLD – IN PICTURES

This post is dedicated to Vespisti around the world who have made the Vespa what it is today – immortal. How do you Vespa?

Enjoy over 470 more pictures in the brand new Veloce book!

Vespas have split opinions ever since they first appeared on the scene. The members of one camp bemoan “those horrible things,” while those in the other camp develop a twinkle in their eyes. For some, it’s just another motor scooter, for others, a revelation, and, for a few, an entire religion. Born in the turmoil of the immediate postwar years, the Vespa grew up in the Swingin’ Fifties, came of age in the Golden Sixties, and remains immortal in the third millennium.

Eighteen million Vespas have buzzed their way into the world since 1946. Stood end to end, they would form a line measuring 32,000 kilometres – 20,000 miles – in length. This is an almost inconceivable statistic, as with many things that transcend conventional measures and at some point achieve cult status.
How did the little machine come so far? The answer is simple. The Vespa has always remained the Vespa, true to itself, and has what others lack: real character!

This book tells the Vespa’s story via over 470 photos, corrects many misconceptions and lets the reader become immersed in the culture of Vespa and la bella vita.

Vespa – The Story of a Cult Classic in Pictures by Günther Uhlig is available now! Order your copy here.

ISLE OF MAN SCOOTER RALLY 2014

Last weekend, the Isle of Man played host to the 2014 Scooter Rally, now a bi-annual social event attended by Scooter Clubs from the UK, and this year, from France. On the Saturday morning, (June 28th) a signing was held for Scooter Mania at Lexicon Bookshop in Douglas. Ex competitor Les Moore was on hand to talk to visiting scooterists.

Steve Jackson commented about the 2014 rally:
"At 11.00, the scooters congregated at the TT grandstand, where members of the Isle of Man Scooter Club were on hand to marshal the ride-out. Around 250 machines left en mass from the grandstand, down Summerhill onto the promenade, on to Ramsey via the coast, returning to Douglas via the mountain road. Final destination was the Cat with no Tail in Onchan, were a BBQ and music was laid on. Amongst the visitors I spoke to were a couple Isle of Man Rally veterans, it was great to hear their memories first hand, and to see that they are still riding and keeping the faith!"

SCOOTER MANIA BOOK LAUNCH & SIGNING

Steve Jackson signed copies of the new book SCOOTER MANIA! Recollections of the Isle of Man International Scooter Rally last weekend at the Tynwald Hill Inn on the Isle of Man. Two ex-competitors were present at the launch to sign copies, alongside the author.

Available now from Veloce!

A complete history of the event including competitor’s and organizer’s personal experiences, the controversies and difficulties experienced by the Rally Committee in what became a remarkable 20-year chapter in the history of Scootering Sport. Events included Endurance and Navigational trials, Hill Climbs, Scrambling, Gymkhana Competitions, Circuit and Closed Road Racing, Assembly Rallies and Sand Racing. More info.

NEW VIDEO! SCOOTER MANIA! STEVE JACKSON AUTHOR INTERVIEW

This month Steve Jackson is the author in our featured video interview, talking about his forthcoming book SCOOTER MANIA! Recollections of the Isle of Man International Scooter Rally (published late May 2014). The video also features very rare period footage of the 1964 Scooter Rally.



Steve Jackson bought his first scooter at the of 17, and attended his first scooter rally, at Morecombe, in 1984. A nomadic lifestyle followed, including membership of Scooter Clubs in Birmingham, London and Devon, attending National Rallies, and sleeping in leaking tents. His interests later veered towards classic cars and motorbikes, but he never really got over his first passion.
After several years of studying and working in Scotland, in 2010, Steve was appointed Library and Archives Assistant at the Manx Museum in Douglas, providing the inspiration for this project. The acquisition of a new Vespa PX 150 soon followed!

Coming soon! SCOOTER MANIA! Recollections of the Isle of Man International Scooter Rally

At last! A year-on-year account of the Isle of Man International Scooter Rally, the brainchild of WWI veteran-turned-politician, James Mylchreest Cain. Following a fact-finding mission to Dusseldorf, accompanied by Peter Agg from Lambretta, the second Rally went International for 1958, and was to grow in popularity throughout the 1960s, attracting competitors from countries as far and wide as Australia, USA, Rhodesia, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Czechoslovakia and India.
In addition to gymkhana and endurance events, closed-road and circuit racing attracted fast men such as Neville Frost, John and Norman Ronald, Ray Kemp, Andy Smith, and Norrie Kerr. In 1971, the then chairman of the Tourist Board, Bill Quayle, declared that the annual Scooterist week was “the most important cog in the mosaic of Manx tourism.” The author’s access to personal photographic archives, and Manx Press pictures, combined with period reports and interviews with competitors, builds a unique reconstruction of a hugely successful event on the scootering sporting calendar: an event that was to endure for 20 years and attract thousands of spectators. More info.

VELOCE DIGITAL: NEW VESPA SCOOTERS APP!

Looking to buy one of these iconic scooters? Then this app is for you! It will help ensure that you avoid the main pitfalls and end up with your very own slice of La Dolce Vita on the driveway.

The app includes expert advice, with images and videos, on all aspects of buying a Vespa. Included is a unique Evaluation Calculator so you can assess the true quality of a potential purchase, and make sure you don’t forget to check any of the important areas. You can store key information and notes, plus images of the Scooters you view for easy reference later. The app also includes a handy tool to search for Vespas which are for sale on various popular websites.

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Available from: Apple App Store, for iPhone / Google Play Store, for Android phones and tablets / Microsoft Store for Windows phone. / Amazon Apps for Kindle Fire, and Android devices.

HOW TO REPLACE SCOOTER DISC BRAKE PADS

Video number 4 in our series of 'how to' video tutorials using top tips from the RAC handbook series.

Caring for your Scooter - How to maintain & service your 49cc to 125cc twist & go scooter
By Trevor Fry.
This book is aimed at the rider who wants to do his or her own basic scooter maintenance and servicing without the need for in-depth mechanical knowledge, or a technical manual. It covers areas such as oil, brakes, tyres, transmission, electrics, etc, allowing the owner to address the most regularly serviced items without forking out for additional costs. Illustrated with full colour photographs throughout, and featuring clear, easy-to-follow instructions, this book is a must-have for scooter users.
More info.

VELOCE BOOKS FATHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS!

CASH-STRAPPED COMMUTERS SWITCH TO SCOOTERS

The recent announcement of record increases in the prices of rail season tickets could explain the current boom in scooter sales. During August registrations of new scooters jumped by 29.8%, as half a million rail passengers faced the prospect of the biggest leap in ticket costs since privatisation in 1995.

Sales of scooters were already running at 20% above the previous year, but the spike in August would appear to underline concerns that cash-strapped commuters could no longer afford the "eye-wateringly expensive" rail fares, as described by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, and were seeking alternative ways to get to work.
Richard Davies of Peugeot Scooters reports that sales in Greater London have trebled so far this year; "Over the past couple of years Peugeot have introduced several new 50cc and 125cc scooters aimed specifically at customers looking for affordable everyday transport and as a direct result our sales in general are up 75% and in the London area we're looking at a 211% increase."

Peugeot's 125cc Vivacity scooter sells for £2099, costs just £16 per year to tax and can get a commuter to work and back for a week on just one gallon of fuel (based on an average UK commuting distance of 8.5 miles).

Richard Davies adds; "It's not only the cost of public transport that's driving customers into Peugeot Scooters' showrooms, it's also the attraction of being able to ride from door-to-door without the hassle of queues, cramped conditions or cancellations."

Source: peugeotscooters.co.uk.

Caring for your Scooter - How to maintain & service your 49cc to 125cc twist & go scooter
By Trevor Fry

This book is aimed at the rider who wants to do his or her own basic scooter maintenance and servicing without the need for in-depth mechanical knowledge, or a technical manual. It covers areas such as oil, brakes, tyres, transmission, electrics, etc, allowing the owner to address the most regularly serviced items without forking out for additional costs. Illustrated with full colour photographs throughout, and featuring clear, easy-to-follow instructions, this book is a must-have for scooter users.
More info.

DID BRIGHTON ROCK BRING BACK MEMORIES?

If all those clips airing on TV News lately from the remake of Brighton Rock, which premiered in Brighton last Wednesday night, have been bringing back memories and giving you ideas about the freedom of iconic two-wheeled motoring, this new book from Veloce could be just what you're looking for – and at ￡9.99 it won't break the bank, but could prevent you from making a potentially expensive mistake …

Vespa Scooters - Classic 2-stroke models 1960-2008
By Mark Paxton

Stop! Don’t let Brighton Rock tempt you into buying a classic Vespa without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Learn how to spot a bad scooter quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right classic Vespa at the right price!
The two stroke Vespa is rightly regarded as an iconic scooter. It’s initial purpose was to provide low cost transportation to the masses in the 1950s, but it evolved through the vibrant ’60s to became a symbol of the burgeoning youth culture, and on into the ’90s when it became firmly entrenched as an Italian icon.
The history of this phenomenon has been well documented, as has the subculture that surrounds it, but there has been no previous attempt to provide a guide to buying one of these classic scooters. This new book from Veloce Publishing, which is for sale now in all good bookshops or direct from www.velocebooks.com, will help ensure that you avoid the main pitfalls and end up with your very own slice of La Dolce Vita on the driveway. Scooters look set to be the 'must have' vehicles of 2011.

SPECIAL OFFER - HALF PRICE BOOKS!

Bentley Continental - Corniche & Azure 51-98
By Martin Bennett.

The definitive history of the most sought-after, powerful and elegant Bentleys.

Click here for more info.








Microcars at large!
By Adam Quellin.
Charts the history and development of the small economy cars which emerged after the Second World War. Finances and raw materials were in short supply and these microcars, or 'bubble cars' as they became affectionately known, provided transport for thousands of impoverished motorists during that lean period in the middle of the twentieth century. These tint economy cars now have a significant place in motoring history. This book follows the microcar’s progress right up to the present day, with original color photographs. Click here for more info.







The A-Z of Popular Scooters & Microcars.
By Mike Dan.
An A to Z color reference book on classic motor scooters and microcars primarily from the 1950s to the 1970s. A hugely entrtaining "I was there" account of of the classic scooter and microcar era, this book is highly illustrated and also contains an essential A-Z reference to these fascinating machines.
Click here for more info.

Scooter sales on the up

Many people who live in a busy city and are sick of trains, tubes and buses have turned to the scooter to get about.

With today’s petrol prices and our need to feel we’re doing more for the environment, scooters have increased in popularity. This has been shown in sales which have risen 65.7 percent in the first half of 2008, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Its not just London and the busy cities of England that has taken to this trend. Its also apparent in many smaller cities, and also further afield in New York where sales are rampant.

There is a vibrant used scooter market in the UK, and most dealers and classified listings will have quality second-hand models for under a grand.

Most 4-stroke scooters use unleaded petrol, and deliver a very economical fuel consumption, between roughly 50 and 70 miles to the gallon. Scooters also produce low emissions, making them an economically-sound choice.
Not only only are they better for the environment, they are cheaper to insure and easier to park.

For an in-depth look at one of the world’s greatest scooter marques, including detailed information on the main Italian-built models, the Lambretta Concessionaires machines and British dealer specials - Check out the Veloce book The Lambretta Bible By Pete Davies.

• Complete model history for each Italian machine
• New, previously unpublished photographs
• Frame number information
• Anecdotal information (where relevant)
• 1960s British dealer specials covered
• Coverage of specially prepared machines from Lambretta Concessionaires
• Full machine specifications and production changes
• Paint code information included
• Publicity & promotional material used where relevant
• Detailed information from dealer special staff and Lambretta Concessionaires staff

click here for more info

The Lambretta Bible

Check out this wacky retro Lambretta advertisement. If you are crazy about scooters and in particular the Lambretta then you're prayers may have just come true as Veloce Publishing are pleased to announce The Lambretta Bible by Pete Davies is now in stock!





Features

• Complete model history for each Italian machine
• New, previously unpublished photographs
• Frame number information
• Anecdotal information (where relevant)
• 1960s British dealer specials covered
• Coverage of specially prepared machines from Lambretta Concessionaires
• Full machine specifications and production changes
• Paint code information included
• Publicity & promotional material used where relevant
• Detailed information from dealer special staff and Lambretta Concessionaires staff
Description

An in-depth look at one of the world’s greatest scooter marques, including detailed information on the main Italian-built models, the Lambretta Concessionaires machines and British dealer specials.
Synopsis

An in-depth look at the world’s finest scooter, from the Model A to the GP 200. The Lambretta story doesn’t end there though, with the focus moving onto machines prepared and built by Lambretta Concessionaires. The book ends with a look at the main British dealer specials of the 1960s.

Click here for more info

Calling all Mods, Skinheads, Skaheads and Scooter Boys

Cast your mind back to 1960s cult move, Quadrophenia

This film version of The Who's rock opera Quadrophenia makes a few tentative stabs at "explaining" the alienation of 1960s British working-class youth, but its major selling point is its nonstop rock-and-R&B musical score, including the hit single "Love Reign O'er Me." Phil Daniels (replacing the original opera's Roger Daltrey) plays Jimmy, a member of a well-dressed, drugged-up teen-aged gang called the Mods, forever duking it out with the cycle-punk Rockers. The rivalry between the two gangs comes to a head during three tempestuous days in the seaside town of Brighton. Here Jimmy makes love to lovely local Leslie Ash, and forges a strong friendship with unofficial Mod leader Sting. A series of disappointments and setbacks in his own London neighborhood convinces Jimmy to return to Brighton to pick up the pieces.

Whilst we are on the subject of vintage scooters and the mod lifestyle, enthusiasts might be interested to know Veloce Publishing are releasing a new book this month entitled THE LAMBRETTA BIBLE by Pete Davies.


A year-by-year, model-by-model, change-by-change record of the world’s finest scooter from Model A to the GP 200. The story doesn’t end there, though, the focus moves to machines prepared and built by Lambretta Concessionaires. The book ends with a look at the main British dealer specials of the 1960s. Essential reading for Lambretta enthusiasts.


Features
• Complete model history for each Italian machine
• New, previously unpublished photographs
• Frame number information
• Anecdotal information (where relevant)
• 1960s British dealer specials covered
• Coverage of specially prepared machines from Lambretta Concessionaires
• Full machine specifications and production changes
• Paint code information included
• Publicity & promotional material used where relevant
• Detailed information from dealer special staff and Lambretta Concessionaires staff

Description
An in-depth look at one of the world’s greatest scooter marques, including detailed information on the main Italian-built models, the Lambretta Concessionaires machines and British dealer specials.

Synopsis
An in-depth look at the world’s finest scooter, from the Model A to the GP 200. The Lambretta story doesn’t end there though, with the focus moving onto machines prepared and built by Lambretta Concessionaires. The book ends with a look at the main British dealer specials of the 1960s.


Click here for more info