why did you purchase from us?

I've yearned for a classic scooter since about the age of 14 when I first saw Quadrophenia in the late 80s. I ended up with a Puch Maxi 50cc pedal-assist moped, but the dream never died!

Fast-forward 40 years or so, having owned a Vespa PX for a while and then selling it for a Royal Alloy GP (a lovely scooter, smooth, stable and easy to ride) I started to miss the distinctive smell of 2-stroke and the rider experience of changing gears and hanging on for dear life - I was in the market for a classic Vespa!

I started searching the usual sites on the internet for classic scooters, even auction sites, but I wasn't getting inspiration. Then I came across Vintage Metals. Here was a company that was clearly passionate about what they do - producing beautiful refurbishments of classic scooters. And then I saw it - a stunning royal blue 1964 Vespa VBB. I had to have it! The transaction was easy and for a reasonable delivery fee I took proud ownership of this wonderful little bike.

So how has it been so far? Well, it's certainly a riding experience. 8-inch wheels, drum brakes and a 3-speed gearbox are a far cry from the Royal Alloy GP with it's 12-inch wheels, ABS braking and automatic twist-and-go gearbox. Don't get me wrong, I love riding the GP but it does sometimes feel as if you being taken for the ride. This little Vespa demands respect and definitely requires the rider to ride the bike! Being completely and expertly refurbished from the bottom up - engine, frame, brakes, the lot - the bike needs a patient owner. I'm running the Vespa in gently as advised by the Vintage Metals team, and I have to say that with every ride the bike gets better as things run-in and bed-down, and my confidence on the machine grows. How hard to brake, how to engage the clutch smoothly, how far to lean in on corners - these feel like things that both myself and the bike are learning together. Patience, practicality and pragmatism are essential when running-in.

Aftercare has been worry-free - the bike came with a comprehensive warranty and the VM team are at the end of the phone at any time to answer any issues or concerns I might have. I would absolutely recommend Vintage Motors to anyone seeking a classic scooter that has been lovingly and passionately restored. My '64 Vespa is a beautiful machine, evoking gentler times, simple engineering and a slower pace of life. As VM say, these bikes are Functional Art.