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Vespa 50 Super Sprint

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Make Model

Vespa 50 Super Sprint

Year

1965-73

Engine

Two stroke, single cylinder

Capacity

49.8 cc / 3.0 cub in
Bore x Stroke 38.4 x 43 mm
Compression Ratio 7.2:1
Mixture 1:50

Carburettor

Dell'Orto 16
Cooling Air cooled with centrifugal fan
Battery 1 x 6V - 9.5 Ah batteries
Induction Rotary valve
Ignition Flywheel magneto
Starting Kick start
Spark Plug Bosch W225 T1
Clutch Oil bath, multi plate

Max Power

2.7 kW / 3.7 Hp @ 7000 rpm

Transmission 

4 Speed,  grip shift
Final Drive Direct drive
Frame Pressed sheet steel with streamlined monocoque structure

Front Suspension

Trailing arm, coil spring, damper

Rear Suspension

Coil spring, dampter

Front Brakes

125 mm drum

Rear Brakes

125 mm drum
Wheels Pressed steel flanges

Front Tyre

3 x 10"

Rear Tyre

3 x 10"

Dimensions

Length: 1655 mm / 65.2 in

Width:     550 mm / 21.7 in

Wheelbase

1166 mm / 45.9 in

Dry Weight

81 kg / 179 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

5.6 L / 1.5 US gal

Consumption  average

2.2 L/100 km / 45.5 km/l / 107 US mpg

Top Speed

70 km/h / 43.5 mph
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The Vespa 50 was launched in 1963 in response to regulatory changes in Italy. By 2002, the Vespa 50 and its variants  had sold roughly 1.42 million units across the world. This is a remarkable success for a vehicle which was launched to escape the regulatory constraints more than anything else. The popularity of ‘small body’ Vespa has grown through the decades.

With the introduction of ‘Highway code’ in 1962, vehicles larger than 50cc were required to have a license plate. 14 years and above were allowed to ride scooters under 50cc without a license. Young riders who till then was a small share was rapidly becoming mobile and affluent. Vespa 50 circumvented the regulatory challenge and opened a hew world for the youngsters.

The marketing campaign revolved around this.

“Giovane, moderna e…senza documenti” or “Young, modern and… without papers”

The 50SS (or 50 Super Sprint from 1971) was a 50cc version of the 90SS with an elongated chrome exhaust and spare wheel located vertically on the platform with a glovebox fitted on top of the wheel.