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Vespa 150 GS

Make Model	Vespa 150 GS
Year	1955 - 61
Production	126 349 units
Engine	Two stroke, single cylinder
Capacity	145.5 cc / 8.8 cub in
Bore x Stroke	57 x 57 mm
Compression	7:1
Carburetor	Dell'Orto UB 23 S3
Cooling	Air cooled, centrifugal fan
Fuel Mixture	1:15
Ignition	6 pole flywheel magneto
Starting	Kick start
Battery	6V
Clutch	Wet, multiplate with cork inserts
Max Power	6.0 kW / 8.2 hp @ 7500 rpm
Transmission	4 Speed, grip-shift, constant mesh
Final Drive	Direct drive
Frame	Pressed sheet steel, streamlined monocoque structure
Front Suspension	Stub axle with swining hub and variable rate coil spring and double action hydraulic damper
Rear Suspension	Swinging bracket for engine and wheel, with variable rate coil spring and co-axial double action hydraulic damper
Front Brakes	Drum, expanding type with cooling ribs
Rear Brakes	Drum, expanding type with cooling ribs
Wheels	Interchangeable
Front Tyre	3.5 x 10"
Rear Tyre	3.5 x 10"
Dimensions	Length: 1700 mm / 67 in Width: 700 mm / 27 in Height: 1050 mm / 41 in
Wheelbase	1180 mm / 46.4 in
Ground clearance	285 mm / 11.2 in
Turning Radius	1400 mm / 55 in
Dry Weight	100 kg / 220 lbs
Fuel Capacity	12 L / 3.17 US gal
Reserve	1.2 L / 0.3 US gal
Consumption average	3.1 L/100 km / 32 km/l / 80 US mpg
Top Speed	100 km/h / 62 mph

In 1956, a decade after the first model was launched, the millionth Vespa came off the line at the Pontedera factory.

Following the initial products from 1946, improvements were made to the original design and new models were introduced. The 1948 Vespa 125 had rear suspension and a bigger engine. The headlamp was moved up to the handlebars in 1953, and had more engine power and a restyled rear fairing. A cheaper spartan version was also available. One of the best-loved models was the Vespa 150 GS introduced in 1955 with a 150 cc engine, a long saddle, and the faired handlebar-headlamp unit. Then came the 50 cc of 1963, and in 1968 Vespa 125 Primavera became one of the most durable of all.

The Gran Sport or GS 150 was unveiled in 1955, a blend between style and sport. It was the first sporting scooter to achieve mass market success.

the styling was the pinnacle of Piaggio's scooter design - it had a smooth and integrated design. The body was physically bigger, the cowls' curves were exaggerated and made even more round than those on the Vespa 150. In fact, from the sloped tail to the curved legshields there was hardly a straight line anywhere on the scooter. Even the floorboards were concave.

the 150GS was the first to be fitted with a 4 speed gearbox, the carburettor increased to 23 mm and a larger exhaust was added to help the engine breath.

The 150 GS is remembered as being the world’s most beautiful scooter ever produced and is highly sought after by today’s collectors of vintage Vespas.

The scooter public had grown up, had changed. The Vespa had become the means of how to stand out in a society which was slowly coming to terms with a new social entity: youth.

For the first time, a vehicle born as a quiet way for lots of people to get about suddenly discovered it was capable of breath taking performance.

Born from the Piaggio racing team experience, the GS was the first scooter with a 150 cc engine and was highly sporty in concept. It had a direct fuel injection engine generating 8 bhp at 7,500 revs and reached a top speed of 63 mph. It had a four-speed gearbox, and its long saddle and large 10" wheels gave the Vespa line a new, aggressive look.