Feeling Equine

Mates can always be relied upon to make light of any slight misfortune, weighing in with banter, quips and generally mickey-taking!

VESPA 90 RACER

One of the rarest Piaggio production models, yet arguably one of the most overlooked smallframe Vespa scooters, is the 90 Racer. ‘Always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ is a metaphoric phrase that sums up the 90 Racer Vespa when compared with its highly sought-after, older and slimmer sister, the 90SS. Especially by collectors, which is a bit strange given the low amount of 90 Racers manufactured. Launched in 1971, the 90 Racer/90r, V9SS2T was in production between ’71 and ’74, with only 3512 examples made during that period. Engine specification is identical to that of the 90SS, with just the one superficial difference, in that the 90 Racer’s exhaust silencer was black instead of the chromed exhaust fitted to the 90SS. The monocoque frame of the 90 Racer Vespa, however, is the longer example introduced as the Nouva 125, which became better known as the Vespa Primavera. What differentiates the 90 Racer from the Primmy is the frame number stamp (V9SST instead of the VMA1T/ VMA2T). Sharing appearance with the Primavera may be a factor as to why the Vespa 90 Racer isn’t, yet, as sought after despite its genuine rarity. With more than 3000 more examples of the highly prized and priced 90SS made than the 90 Racer, the former –which, granted, has many unique features, fixtures and fittings and is based on aesthetics– is very much a desirable thing of beauty. Yet on rarity, the 90 Racer wins hands down.

Aprevious custodian of this rare, albeit unfashionable with many, Vespa treated it to a new coat of paint during the time it was in his ownership. The intention was for an all-over 70s shade of deep purple. Often there's something of a gap between intent and reality; in this case, it's not so much of a gap as a chasm. The thing is, the choice of paint colour, after having been applied, turned out to be quite a bit lighter than the dark, deep purple he was hoping for. Cue his mates, throwing a bit of good-natured ribbing in the direction of both the owner at the time and the 90 Racer. A tentative comparison was made between the new colour of the Vespa with the one-time popular toy for young girls, My Little Pony. As tends to happen in those sorts of situations, the nickname stuck and the smallframe 90 Racer became known as ‘The Pony' by members of the scooter riding fraternity on the island of Guernsey.

A load of old Pony…

The previous owner of this 90 Racer developed a problem with his back, which made riding the smallframe an excruciatingly painful experience.

Reluctantly he took the decision, based on necessary physical health reasons, to move it on, and offered it to fellow Guernsey scooterist Steve Hearne.

“I wasn't particularly looking for another Vespa at the time, but in December 2019 the bloke who owned it did his back in. He couldn't get on with riding it the way his back was, my missus liked it right from when it had its respray, and it had been nicknamed My Little Pony, abbreviated to ‘The Pony'. I was given the first offer, which I took, agreeing on a deal that was about right for this rare little Vespa.”

I’ve got the original standard engine complete, stashed under a bench. If I ever decide to sell it, it gives any future owner the option to return this rare smallframe to its original specifications, should they want to.