VESPA T 5 – T HE ULT I MATE S PORT S COOTER?

Launched in Italy in 1985, but not commercially on sale in the UK until the following year, Piaggio ‘introduced’ the new PX125T5 (VNX5T), to what was their core UK market via Disc ’85 Rally at Donington Park. Vespa racer Norrie Kerr took part in the race-meeting portion of the rally on a T5. Initially, although the T5 was a P-range with a few visual, superficial changes, it was met with a lukewarm reception. Said changes consisted of a triangular section added to the rear of the frame, which allowed a longer dual seat. Also, there was a restyled horncasting and front mudguard, along with a spoiler under the floorboards, wheel discs as well as a plastic engine cover. Plus, instead of floor runners, there were rubber mats, also a black ‘drinks’ tray was fitted to the top of the glove box, with a metalised Pole Position sticker on the left-hand front side. More about the significance of the Pole Position logo below. The two major differences to a standard, mid-80s P-range were a rectangular headlight, with a headset dashboard that incorporated a digital rev counter. The latter was replaced on later Mk1s with a dial rev counter. There was a short, very short flyscreen fitted as standard to the new headset arrangement, giving something of an angular appearance to the scooter, certainly in silhouette. The other major change was less visible, as that was to the engine, a brand new, sportier aluminium cylinder barrel, Nikasil lined, with five transfer ports, hence the T5 name. Also, an exhaust system specifically designed to suit the top end in harmony with a larger carburettor came as standard. Likewise, with a sportier performance in mind, there was a new gearbox too. Without question, the Mk1 T5 won over most of its detractors in a relatively short time, due in the main to its 11hp+ output from a stock scooter. It was legal for learners, as in those on L-plates, needless to say, it was a popular scooter in the UK. When ridden by a solo rider, it was often capable of passing standard 200cc P-range Vespas. Two-up, though, the 125 engine wasn’t anywhere near as quick. There were two incarnations of the Mk1 T5 made by Piaggio; as already mentioned it was only a minor difference on the headset dashboard, apparently this was due to the unreliability and short life of the LED digital rev counters. A total of just over 3600 Mk1 T5 Vespas were made between ’85 and ’93 in Italy. Moto Vespa in Spain also manufactured a small number of Mk1 T5s under licence, in the region of 1800 total, 800 of which were electric start models. Moto Vespa also made the TX Vespa, a T5 frame fitted with a P200 engine; there were also electric start versions of the TX marketed. The later, Italian/Piaggio Mk2 T5 was also known as the T5 Classic, late examples of which had a Cosa clutch fitted as standard. It was basically a P-range frame and handlebars fitted with T5 items such as (obviously) the engine, engine cover, floor mats, wheel discs, spoiler and badging.

On the subject of the badging, that neatly brings in the Pole Position logos utilised on the Mk1 T5 Vespa. In the early 80s, for a couple of seasons, Piaggio/ Vespa sponsored Formula 1 car racing drivers Gilles Villeneuve and Didier Pironi, the two were with Scuderia Ferrari team. Heading towards the mid-Eighties, ’84 to be precise, a trophy was awarded at each Formula 1 Grand Prix to the driver who attained the fastest qualifying time to secure pole position for the race. The Piaggio Vespa Pole Position trophy was awarded, accompanied by a brand new Vespa to the fastest qualifying driver. Both PK and P-range Vespas were given at different races, adorned with the Pole Position Trophy logo across the legshields and horncasting. During the ’84 F1 Grand Prix championship series, motor racing driver Nelson Piquet achieved pole position on nine occasions, which in turn led to a further sponsorship deal with Piaggio Vespa. Piquet became the advertising poster boy for both the new T5 Vespa and the Pole Position branded extras such as seats and wheel discs, the latter having a replica Piquet signature embossed along with two horizontal slots cut in them. Needless to say Pole Position extras, 35 years on (36 in Italy) are highly sought after with collectors and completists worldwide: 2021 marks the 35th anniversary of the T5 Vespa in the UK, probably the sportiest Vespa scooter made, definitely one of the best Vespa scooters ever.