Reader’s Ride: Our Phyllis
Mum’s the Word: Scooters will be forever associated with the Swinging Sixties, but connoisseurs know that the decade of rock ‘n’ roll produced the most curvaceous machines.
Everything slimmed down in the 1960s and it wasn’t just the curves of Marilyn Monroe that gave way to Twiggy’s svelte outline. Both Innocenti and Piaggio put their products on a weight loss programme. The resulting designs were undoubtedly classics, ultimately becoming the mainstay of the 1980s rally scene. With a seemingly inexhaustible supply of slimline Lambrettas and a rot-free Rally for less than £100 very few 80s scooterists had time for older models. Thankfully those days have changed and one man with an eye for a curvaceous bodyshell is Stef Manoli.
Ooh la la
There are prolific scooter builders and then there’s Stef. It’s for good reason that his projects regularly feature in the pages of Scootering and considering the number of scooters that pass through his workshop, the quality of his work is never less than outstanding. Many of these machines are fleeting acquaintances, built to scratch an itch and then sold on to fund the next project. Others become long-term love affairs and so it is with Phyllis, a 1959 ACMA GL150 that Stef first met in France. “I’ve been tracking down a decent VS1 (GS150) for years,” explained Stef. “There’s something about their curves that really appeals. Finding one at a reasonable price in the type of condition I like is proving more difficult than I’d ever imagined.” A couple of years ago Stef’s ongoing quest found him in France, specifically a car boot sale in Lyon. “She wasn’t a VS1 but I couldn’t help instantly falling in love,” he laughed. “The wide frame curves, visible cables and thick gauge steel are all very similar to the GS. She was worn out, very tired and the barrel was in the side frame compartment. I could see through all the bad bits and happily negotiated a deal at €2100.”
Going steady
One thing that marks Stef out from the crowd is that he rarely rushes into a project. Instead he gets to know the machine and forms a plan. This meant that Phyllis waited for a full year before making her way into the workshop. The concept was simple, to retain the scooter’s integrity while bringing its performance into the 21st century. One reason that wideframe Vespas have only recently gained a popular following has been a lack of performance parts. Their original casings use a three-stud arrangement to secure the piston ported barrel, an arrangement that means kits for later machines are completely incompatible. It’s a gap in the market that Pinasco has happily filled.
The top end is a Pinasco 160cc alloy Nordic cylinder with a Pinasco intake, a Polini CP 23mm carb that’s been fitted with the Bollag Motos cable adaptation and BGM full circle crank. Ignition is courtesy of a 12v Pinasco Flytech system while a BGM Cosa clutch transmits power to the gearbox. As Stef explained, this was one of the build’s more challenging aspects. “I had a lot of problems getting the clutch to work; eventually I took the whole scooter to Roger Green at Wessex Scooters. It’s the small parts that always make the most impact and Roger eventually found and fitted a 1mm spacer to fit the modified clutch cover. Since then it’s been perfect. To finish her off I bought the six-day racer pipe which I love.”
Gearing up
Having done his homework Stef knew this would be a strong motor but also that a change in gearing would be needed. “I’ve retained the original primary drive but given her a new set of shoes,” he explained. “She originally had white walls and 9in rims, but I threw on some 10in VS1 rims that I’d sourced from GS Gary Lining. I thought that with the extra power she should pull it and also give her a better top cruising speed.”
It’s an assumption that’s proven correct. Having recently been dyno’d and set up by
the capable hands of Warren Wilkinson, Phyllis is now capable of producing almost 12bhp and 9.82ft-lb of torque. On the step dyno she pulled up her skirt to achieve a theoretical top speed of 75mph.
Body beautiful
Although he’s completed more than one complete restoration, Stef’s preference is for original scooters that wear their age with dignity. As he quite rightly asserts: “Just look at her paint, who’d want to spoil that with a coat of new and shiny?” Having stripped Phyllis to the bones Stef spent a full day cleaning and degreasing before, quite literally, wiping her over with an oily rag. During the rebuild Stef continued the process of gently upgrading Phyllis’ systems by adding new cables, fitting a brake light and BGM shocks.
One diversion from standard was the saddle. “I’m 6ft 2in and can’t ride with my knees fouling the grips, so I’ve fitted an Ancelotti seat.” For the final touches Stef turned to Phil Appleyard at the Monster Forge who he asked to interpret an old Belstaff advertisement for a long-forgotten product, the Belstaff Scooter Jak. “I think he’s done a great job,” added Stef. “Even Belstaff has shown an interest in using Phyllis as part of an advertising campaign.”
It’s all in the name
Having executed a meticulously planned rebuild it should come as no surprise that there’s a reason behind naming her Phyllis. “She’s named after my dear mum who’s recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” said Stef. “Frankly I’m smitten by them both.” One thing’s for certain, whichever Phyllis we’re talking about, they’re both one of a kind. He’s hoping they both keep rolling for many years to come.