1970 Vespa (Douglas) Rally 180 (210)

Stunning high performance desirous Rally model

Registration No: ABB 643J
Frame No: VSD1T 0014029
Engine No:
CC: 210

MOT: Exempt

• High quality restoration by VMS in correct Chrome yellow colour
• Matching numbers 
• Enhanced engine using the highest quality parts in original engine casing
• Fully running scooter
• V5 present for use on UK roads
• 2924 miles on new speedometer since restoration
• Great investment and collector opportunity
• Lovely to ride
• All keys present

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.  Most of these have been lost to the ravages of time and overly ambitious riders.  The Rally series followed the GS160 and SS180 that had used the 5 port induction system but improved the fuel inlet to allow a reduced oil ratio mix to only 2%.  Greater cooling was possible by using curved fins on the flywheel and power was 10.3 HP at 5700 rpm.  The frame was a hybrid of two tried and tested models the Vespa Sprint and Vespa Super sport.  It had a large headlight and a spy hole which lit up on the headset when the lights were on.

ABB 643J was first registered on the 18th August 1970 and we presume in the Swindon area.  There is some history in the file of the owners going back to 1976.  She was subject to a complete and comprehensive restoration in 2016 and a full rebuild off the engine using significant quality parts and being uprated to 210cc for extra power.  The restoration was done by quality restoration experts VMS and paint work by The London Scooter Bodyshop. Most of the engine parts were supplied by SIP including the Malossi 210 cc sport cylinder.

I have recently ridden this fantastic scooter around Lake Como and Turin recently and she is able to cope with modern traffic extremely well.  She comes with some lovely accessories including an original Vigano ‘turbo’ wheel disc and correct era horncast cover.  She also has an original operation and maintenance handbook and a parts catalogue.

A rare and collectible Vespa presented in exceptional condition.