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Vespa 50 Super Sprint

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

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.