Pole Position
When Mark Mitchell decided to create a tribute to his Formula One hero Gilles Villeneuve there was only one choice og machine. Piaggoi`s Vespa T5
When Mark Mitchell decided to create a tribute to his Formula One hero Gilles Villeneuve there was only one choice of machine, Piaggio’s Vespa T5.
Launched in 1985 the T5 was a radical departure from the traditional curvaceous designs for which Vespa was so well known. Not everyone was impressed but its legendary performance soon won over British scooterists and I wasn’t the only P2 rider to be puzzled after my first encounter with a T5. Watching a showroom fresh 125 pull away from me was simultaneously embarrassing and exciting in equal measure.
From the outset Piaggio made the most of its latest sports model. Having previously made a seasonal deal to award the Formula One driver with the most Pole Position points a brand new P-range, it wasn’t long before the T5 was being photographed in the pits with famous drivers and featuring ‘Pole Position’ branding in the showroom.
Starting grid
“I’ve been a fan of Formula One racing since I was at school,” began Mark, the owner and creative force behind this gorgeous T5. “My all-time hero is the Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve. His driving style was second to none – he would slide his Ferrari sideways like it was a rally car. I was about 12 when he died and I was devastated.”
Although he now uses a GTS for long distances, Mark’s a big fan of Vespa’s P-range, particularly the Mk1s. Having decided the time was right to create a tribute to his Grand Prix hero, the logical choice was a ‘Pole Position’ T5. The problem was finding a suitable base for the project. Their low cost and relatively high performance means that most
surviving T5s have had a hard life. Many of the five port engines went ‘bang’ a long time ago and as functional as the integral floor mats are, they also harbour water adding to the P-range’s built in selection of rust traps. “I was very lucky,” said Mark. “I’d been searching for four or five months when I saw this example being advertised on eBay. It only had two previous owners from new. It needed work but still had the original engine.”
Having sourced a suitable scooter, the hunt began for a suitable artist. “I’d got a budget in mind,” laughed Mark, “unfortunately the big names I approached were asking prices way beyond those I could afford. A friend suggested I try John Hooper at Killerpaint in Dawlish. From our first conversation I knew he was the artist I wanted to use.” John’s based in a small unit outside Dawlish in Devon, but the size of his operation is deceiving and even a quick glance at the Killerpaint Facebook page will reveal both the quality and breadth of John’s work. His undoubted talent combined with affordable prices and a quick turnaround has
ensured e John an enthusiastic following in the South West. W “I dropped the frame off with John and he took t care of everything, including blasting,” said Mark. “I was very nervous about the horrors that may be lurking under the paint but the T5 was pretty solid. The only hole was on the frame tunnel
and a that was no larger than the size of a 5p coin.” When creating a race tribute there’s a temptation to t go overboard but on this machine John’s struck
the t perfect balance. The mixture of logos and murals is just right and in keeping with the Formula
One O theme there’s no chrome, engraving or powder coating. The overall effect is of a showroom fresh red T5 that’s been treated to a makeover rather than an over restored, over the top, show bike. It’s exactly the effect Mark wanted and for those paying attention, there are hidden gems to be found. Inside the panels are Italian flags, a 3D tribute to Ferrari that plays with the senses, making it hard to work out if they’re on the inside or outside. The toolbox lid contains another tribute, in this case to Mark’s father and fellow Formula One enthusiast Tony.
Although he’s been around scooters since the mid-80s, Mark didn’t trust himself with the rebuild. The painted frame and bare engine cases were dispatched to an old friend, Martin Goree at The Bike Clinic in Gillingham, Dorset. “While the frame was being painted I’d sourced all the hard to obtain T5 Mk1 parts and Martin fitted in the rebuild around his other work.” Although a Mazzucchelli crank now lives in the casings and a TSR Revolver exhaust assists fumes on their way, the engine is essentially a standard T5. In Mark’s words: “There’s no point messing with perfection.”
By any standard Mark has created a stunning scooter but incredibly the entire project stands Mark at a miserly £4500. Admittedly the build was completed at ‘mates’ rates’ but he’s joined the growing number of readers who prove that it’s possible to build a head turner without breaking the bank.
The coming season will see it being ridden to events across the southwest and even further afield. Will it pick up trophies? It certainly deserves to but Gilles himself never secured a championship and that didn’t prevent him from becoming a motorsport icon. ‘Salut Gilles’ isn’t just a superb tribute to Mark’s childhood hero, it’s also a worthy addition to the T5’s sporting history.
Words: Stan Photographs: Gary Chapman