As readers of Barn Finds many of you know and understand that one may not be enough. Peter Maas has turned his passion into a business as seen on YouTube. Today we are sharing three examples of the 1964 Allstate Vespa. Restored examples are listed in the range from $3,700 to $4,950. The first one up is priced at $700 and listed here on craigslist. It’s a “barn find” that does not run, but the seller states “in very good shape for its age”. This model Vespa weighs in at 182 lbs. with a max speed(not going downhill) claimed to be 46.6 mph and this unit does include the optional speedo.
The second unit today is listed for $1,300 here on craigslist. The seller states that the “scooter runs and drives well, does need front brake work.” This Vesper has 3,400 miles on it and does ride on new Michelin tires!
The third unit is listed for $1,500 and can also be found on craigslist. The seller states to be in “pretty good condition for being all-original”. He is listing this for his father. This one comes with many extra parts and accessories not listed. You can see some “road rash” on the rear fender, some other damage and some rust which is to be expected on an “all-original” driven ’64 Vespa. This unit does include an all-important share wheel and tire.
Seeing these pictures sends me back. I had the misfortune of being trained to work on these things during the gas crisis in the 70’s. People were pulling them out of barns, basements, and I think a deep well or two, and bringing them in to be revived. Of course, don’t spend any money, just get the abandoned hulk to run again. I still sneeze when I remember the stench that came out of one gas tank. Don’t know what died in it, but it suffered greatly.
Vespa was a great scooter! Had two in the neighborhood. Vanderpoole bought a grey Vespa 150 cc about in 63-4. Was very fast , good mileage, however, he was a techno nerd for the time. While the guys his age were working on cool cars( 53-4 Mercs, 58 Fords and Chevs….Bob had the family 48 Plymouth and the Vespa. Carried two without being a step slower. The other one was a light mint green Vespa 50 cc. Ugelstad went everywhere on it and took me or one of my brothers in his quest for expanding his adventures. The passenger seat and spare were options. It could do 50 but Adam’s Honda Cub 50cc had better top end at 60 plus mph. The Vespas kept going through clutch cables at the handle, Other than that being nerdy was greatly overshadowed by going to new places….
There was a Hemmings article on dare devil Joe Chitwoods yesterday. Us 10-12 yr olds saw it on TV and decided to do our own “Thrill” show with borrowed lumber from someone who was building a garage up the alley. We took a 2X12 about 10-12 ft long…and set one end on borrowed wood blocks. Took our bikes over it in center of alley. Vanderpoole comes home on the 150, and creates a jump in the alley with the board…and a galvanized 50 gal. garbage can. Steep and nothing to hold the can in place. He hit the board at about 20 mph and can shot forward while part of it collapsed. He landed sideways in the cement sandy alley. That was the birth of us guys calling an accident/crash…”A Chitwood.” Well…at least it was fast.