Feature Scooter: Mexico Vespa
Basing a custom scooter around a retro theme has plenty of options. Quite often, racing pedigree machines provide the biggest and best inspiration…
Basing a custom scooter around a retro theme has plenty of options. Quite often it’s racing pedigree machines that provide the biggest and best inspiration.
Back in the 1970s, vehicles were far more basic compared with today’s standards. Technology has always moved forward – a natural progression to make things better than they were before. However, today’s examples seem almost untouchable to people who don’t have the knowledge or tools to work on them; that’s why the lure of a classic vehicle has such appeal. They were not only great designs but also hark back to a time when the average person on the street could do their own maintenance without any problems. They were a personal thing that the owner could appreciate, something that doesn’t exist any more. Part of their simplicity was the paintwork, which undoubtedly moved forward during that decade – nothing over the top or too complicated but having an everlasting effect.
One of the greatest sources of inspiration was Ford with the Escort, an everyday family car turned into a racing thoroughbred. Its derivative, the Mexico, was often seen thrashing around the forests of Britain driven by the likes of Roger Clark, who would make the car a household name. The Mexico came in several different colour schemes and, though simple, they were also highly effective. Today they are a great inspiration and, if interpreted correctly, look good on almost anything.
Smokin’…
Karen Clark (no relation to Roger, I might add) is one of those people dedicated to the two-stroke engine – not just the noise but the smell of fumes that the oil creates, and lured in by the banned technology that only exists in classic machines such as the Vespa and Lambretta.
Karen is an admirer of both makes but her chosen steed this time is the Vespa. She’s been involved in the scene for a long period and, as an avid rallygoer, scooters are in her DNA. Having campaigned for many years on a T5, over time it has become a bit tired and tatty; so much so that partner Steve commented on the fact. Feeling the Vespa was letting the side down a bit Steve, having five in perfect condition, decided it was time to do something. With its rattle-can finish, the whole scooter needed an overhaul – something Karen was very happy about.
As it was a Christmas present several years ago the scooter is close to Karen’s heart, so any work undertaken had to be done to the highest order. Steve was given the task of building it (no pressure there then) to her exacting standards. Stripping down was the easy part so the preparation could begin. What was needed now was the theme for it to be based around. Being an enthusiast of two-stroke scooters was fine but that needed to be tied up with something from a similar era. It was the Mk1 Ford Escort that caught her eye, based on the Mexico version of white with blue tramlines. The style has long been regarded as a classic and often used as an inspiration.
Karen didn’t want anything too complicated that would take away the focus of the original layout. However, the panels on a Mk1 Escort are long and flat, whereas on a Vespa they are not. Laying down of the tramlines wouldn’t be as simple as it first seemed – not that it was
going to put her off in any way. The thought of getting the tired old T5 revamped was too enticing for a small problem like this to get in the way.
Dirty work
With the bodywork more or less being standard there wasn't much in the way of fabrication. The only area worked on was around where the back light was situated. This was done by recessing the light into the frame and splitting it in two, followed by doing the same where the number plate sits, so from the side all are hidden from view. It’s a nice subtle touch that gives the scooter a much sportier look. Whether or not it was Karen’s idea or that of the fabricator, who knows, but we will give her the benefit of the doubt here.
While the frame was off for painting the real dirty work could commence, scrubbing the engine casings. After five years of continuous use, there was a big build-up of dirt and grime. As she openly admitted, it was going to be a tough job so in her own words: “I got my partner to do it instead.” Clever thinking, while at the same time leaving her nails nice and clean – cheers, Steve.
Standard practice
The T5 engine in standard guise was impressive to start with, in reality, a factory-tuned engine. Not only that, it is very reliable so there is no need to force the issue by tuning the life out of it. With Karen using the scooter regularly, this thought was at the front of her mind. The decision, therefore, was to leave it as it is. The only extra was a LeoVince pipe which slightly improved the power but without going over the top – a simple case of re-jetting the carburettor to suit.
Karen is now thinking perhaps a bit of a power upgrade would have been better after all. Perhaps a bit more bhp to give it that extra oomph that sometimes you feel is needed. It’s such a fine dividing line, swapping more power for perhaps less reliability. It’s something she is thinking about but for now has decided to accept the engine the way it is, a good choice I reckon.
Colouring in
Once the idea for the scheme was decided the job of laying it down on the bodywork began. The old red paint was subject to a felt tip pen with which Steve marked out the lines. Karen carefully inspected the idea until it was mutually decided on a finished design. Both happy, it then went off to the painters, in this case Clan Customs. To start with it was painted with a white base whereupon the blue
tramlines followed. There was the odd graphic such as on the headset top but it was the tramlines that are the stand-out feature.
On the mudguard and side panels, they follow along the traditional lines similar to that of the stripes on a Rally 200. More awkward was the front legshields and rather than leaving them plain white, a double band has been put around the top edge. To finish it all off and tie everything together a similar line has been done on the front mudguard and around where the rear lights sit. With the RS logo skilfully placed on the front, it finished everything off. The results speak for themselves; a very simplistic design but one that gives great impact everywhere you look. That’s the cleverness with this design, something that is in no way cluttered but looks striking.
Paying homage
Like any Vespa, there is always the bland finish of the toolbox door. Leaving it a plain colour just looks boring and most custom Vespas have something painted there. Already paying homage to the paint scheme of the car, Karen thought why not show it in all its glory. Frank Carty of
Artisan Artwork, therefore, painted the full Mk1 Mexico on the toolbox door: a final and touching gesture to such a classic car. The final pieces, such as the seat – which thankfully was done in black, keeping it in balance with everything else – make it stand out further. The boring centre mat on the Vespa floorboards is always a pain so a floorpan, similar in style to what the car had fitted, goes nicely with the overall theme. Karen says she is happy with it the way it is and rightly so. I can’t think it could have been done any better than how it is already. She openly admits that Steve came up with a lot of the ideas and did the hard work but it doesn’t matter – they are partners in life so why not when it comes to building scooters? Karen has been riding to rallies for years on the old T5 and once everything is back to normal both she and the scooter will be present at them again. If you see the scooter, go over and have a look – it’s well worth it.
Words: Stu Owen
Photographs: Alex Adair