About this product

Rare 1970 Vespa Rally 180

Registration No: VJW 288H
Frame No: VSD1T 0076728
CC: 180

MOT & TAX: Exempt.

The first time a Vespa was seen in Great Britain was on the Douglas stand at the 1949 Motor Cycle Show.  The scooter was discovered by Douglas managing director Claude McCormack when the struggling company was in the hands of the official receiver.  The Vespa presented itself as a solution to the companies problems and a deal was made with Piaggio to begin production of the Vespa under licence in Britain starting with the ‘Rod model’ launched in March 1951.  Piaggio soon regretted this decision and consequently Douglas under-performed and was several years behind the Italian models until the late 1950’s when parity was almost made.

By the early 1960’s Vespa Douglas in Great Britain were importing Italian built Vespas as opposed to continuing to manufacture them.  The Vespa Rally 180 made between 1968 and 1973 is a much sought after model by collectors due to its rarity, high performance and great looks and only 26000 were produced.