Feature Scooter: Atlantic Gold
For over a decade it was one of the UK’s most popular custom Vespa scooters and now Atlantic Gold is back, reinvented for a new era.
For over a decade it was one of the UK’s most popular custom Vespa scooters and now Atlantic Gold is back, reinvented for a new era.
There are few scooters that really sum up an era, but Atlantic Gold is one of them. Bursting on to the 1980s custom scene it was an instant crowd pleaser, but its story is complicated. In fact, as owner and creator Jason Taylor explained, it’s actually the history of two machines.
Track one
“Many people remember Atlantic Gold from the 1980s,” began Jason. “That was sprayed by Maca at Down Town Custom and picked up plenty of trophies at rallies up and down the country. It was always a ridden scooter and unfortunately that was the cause of its demise. A car pulled out of a side street and side swiped me. The scooter was too badly damaged to repair and was scrapped.”
Track Two
With fond memories of his favourite steed it wasn’t too long before Jason hatched a plan for Atlantic Gold 2, and that made its first appearance at the Bridlington Custom show in 2001. “I was really pleased when it picked up ‘Best in Show’, a title it retained for three years running.” Although few would dispute that decision, it was the 2003 VMSC Show that produced Atlantic Gold’s most controversial accolade, ‘Best Engineered’. “I never saw that coming,” said Jason, who’s still obviously bemused at the decision. “There was a really strong field of choppers in the show and I can sympathise with their builders feeling put out when Atlantic Gold won, but in its defence there’s a lot of very subtle engineering in the build.” Although most people rarely see past Si Clarke’s stunning artwork, Jason’s very accurate in his assessment. Pay close attention and there’s plenty to feast upon. The base of the build is a 1990 PX200, which was first carefully de-seamed and fitted with a bespoke tailpiece. Next to receive attention were the indicators which, after their factory fitments had been welded shut, were hidden behind hand-cut slits. This was carried over to the rear light and together they create an effect that would suit any street racer. Get down to ground level and the attention to detail in this build is apparent. Almost any surface that can be engraved has been, and those that don’t naturally lend themselves to such treatment have been adapted. Custom CDI cover anyone? Even areas that are
routinely neglected have been lavished with attention as few ‘full blown’ Vespa customs have fuel tanks with murals. Another component that may have influenced the judges’ decision was Atlantic Gold’s sound system.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out the inspiration behind Atlantic Gold’s scheme. Both engraving and murals feature great names associated with the legendary record label. As Jason eagerly points out: “It’s impossible to have a scooter about music without music.” Ignoring the frame-mounted radio console that was so commonly fitted in the 80s, Jason originally concealed a CD player in the seat. However, Atlantic Gold’s recently been refurbished and the sound system, together with other components, has been radically upgraded.
“About 18 months ago I walked out to the garage and realised that she was in need of a rebuild. A decision to put her into temporary storage had turned into 10 years of neglect. It was a case of now or never, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.”
Track three
Although the paint had survived surprisingly well, the same couldn’t be said of the brightwork. Most of this was dispatched to Karl Russell at Quality Chrome, who worked his usual genius whilst preserving Ady Clark’s engraving. “I
knew that this time round I was more interested in riding her than in showing her, so areas that take a lot of maintenance have been powder coated. I’ve also upgraded the rear light to LEDs.” Returning to the subject of music, the CD player’s been consigned to history and in its place is a state-of-the-art bluetooth system, which works from an app on Jason’s smartphone linked to a waterproof JBL speaker that’s been discreetly mounted under the toolbox. Adapting the seat to the 21st century technology meant that the seat had to be refinished and interestingly it was workwear specialists Xamax Clothing who secured the contract to re-embroider the cover.
The final part of Atlantic Gold’s rebirth was to bring her performance up to date and that’s been achieved with the addition of a Malossi 210 kit.
Back in October 2011, Dave Oakley used his Nostalgia Column to ask where machines such as Atlantic Gold may be hiding away and speculated as to whether we’d freshly ever see them again. It’s eight
I knew that this time around I was more interested in riding her than in showing her, so areas that take a lot of maintenance have been powder coated. I’ve also upgraded the rear light to LEDs.
ye ears later and we now have the answer. At tlantic Gold’s still with its original owner, re efurbished, keenly ridden and ready to pl lease the crowds again.
Words: Stan Photographs: Gary Chapman