I might have to sell my Vespa 180 ss within the next year. I paid quite a bit for it by scooter standards, but it is now insured for two times that. I'm trying to gauge what the market says about it. They are so rare, you can't find any to buy. What would any of you guys pay for a very rare 1965 classic scooter?

It was fully resotred back in 2001 and I bought it in 2004 with only 800km on it. It now has 3,200km and always starts on the first kick. Never had any issues or crashes. The paint is near imaculate and I've put a new brake drum and shoes on the front.

Kind of pains me to have to think about selling it, but I need to be able to get set up after college before I find a job. I suppose an investment that grew more than 50% in only 4 years wasn't a bad one, plus it was fun to ride around.

I'll get some pictures up once I clean it.

From http://www.vespafascination.com/60/s...m/65_180SS.htm :

The 180 Super Sport marked a new milestone in the growth of the engine (181.14 cc) with 10 bhp for a top speed of 105 km/h. The 180 SS replaced the glorious GS 150/160 cc. Piaggio modified the front cowling, making it more aerodynamic, and significantly improving comfort, handling and roadholding. The 180 SS was the last Vespa designed with a Piston-ported type motor. The Rally models replaced the 180 SS. Later versions of the 180 SS were produced with a round headlamp and a speedometer like the "Rally" models.

Technical Information
engine single cylinder, 2-stroke
cylinder bore 62 mm
piston stroke 60 mm
cubic capacity 181.2 cc
bhp at rpm 10 @ 6250
lubrication 5%
carburetor Dell'Orto 27/23
gears 4
chassis one-piece metal pressing
tires 3.50 x 10"
weight 105 kg
max. speed 105 km/h
(I've gone up to 120km/h before)

 

things that would affect the restoration to me would be :

How much of it is original? Original paint? Proper parts used in the restoration ( i.e. Inox legshield chrome, proper SS180 floorstrips - which are unobtanium versus the Rally 200 ones that people put on them now ....

What's the quality of the paint job if it's been resprayed? Louvers / cowls ok ?

Could be anywhere from 3-5k depending

 

Some of it is origional but the gears, bearings, piston, and some other internals are new, the case and block are origional. The monocoque and handle bar assemblies are origional, but the fender and cowlings had to be replaced due to rust proliferation and bad dents.

All cables were replaced, as was most of the trim, handle bar grips, and speedo. Never-used period spare parts or Vespa replacement parts were used throught.

The front brake drum I replaced with the shoes was an origional part resurfaced on a lathe. I had that done in Japan while I was there and brought the drum back with me.

This scoot was perportely in terrible shape when restoration began, though no pictures exist of it in that state.

I have not had a chance to clean and photograph it, but they did a great job painting it. The prepwork was done well, no rust or bubbled paint.

I would certainly hope the price will be higher than that... I managed to find one 180ss in terrible pre-restoration condition for about $2,850. Mine is practically like new, as if Doc Brown had stollen one right out of 1967 and brought it here.

When I bought this Vespa, I beat out offers from Italy and Japan because I agreed to meet the man only 3 hours from his house with my own trailer.

I will make full use of international want-ads when I sell it.

 

Cool. I restored a lot of these when I first started in the body business. The guy I worked for bought them by the truckload. i could have had one, but I was in my V8 Mopar stage of life and had no interest in being seen on one.
I had a lot of fun playing with them though...

 

I get a lot more thumbs-up and positive comments from regular joes than abuse from the good ol' boys.

 

I've seen excellent condition 150's selling for between 3-5K so a 180 should go for more. But being that rare might be hard to find interest here.

 

I've seen several on the differnt scooter boards and unless it's VERY exceptional $3/$5k is a good average ... Clubmate bought a mint one Absolutely mint with a seized motor for $1500