FAQ
Below you will find some commonly asked questions and their answers. If you don't find the answer you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Ordering
How do I place an order for a Vespa?
Use the contact us form to tell us which model and color options you are interested in. We will then contact you within 24-48 hours.
How much do your Vespas cost?
The purchase price of one of our Vespas is $4,250. This includes import fees, destination charges, and local delivery in Miami. We also take care of the mandatory inspection required by the FL DMV to register a motor vehicle being imported from another country.
Why should I buy a Vespa from you?
Although these Vespas are Italian made and imported, there is peace of mind with buying something from a company that is local in the US, provides you with a warranty, and stands behind its products. Sure, you can find someone, somewhere selling a rebuilt Vespa, but you can't meet them, see their scooters, get a warranty, nor have them personally deal with a potential issue or question you may have in regards to your Vespa.
Its quite simple... see it, ride it, and know that we live and work right down the street should you ever need anything.
"Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed... I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer' sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me."
- Tommy Boy
What are the payment terms?
Because our Vespas are custome made to order, a 50% deposit is required at the time of order. Once the Vespa is completed and ready to ship, the remaining 50% balance is due.
If purchasing from our local available inventory, full payment is due when the Vespa is delivered.
How long does it take to get the Vespa from the time I place my order?
Depending on how many Vespas we have on order, it typically takes 2-3 weeks to fully restore the Vespa to like new condition. We then test drive the Vespa for another 3-5 days to make sure that it is in prestine condition. Once it is ready to ship, it takes approximately 28-30 days to arrive here in Miami. The total time from order to delivery is 6-8 weeks.
We also have local inventory available from time to time. Although they are tough to keep in stock, we do have them occasionally, and in that case, they are available for immediate delivery.
Can I order a custom color?
Yes! You can customize your Vespa to any color you would like.
Can I see and test drive one of your Vespas before I buy?
​Absolutely. Just contact us through the contact page and request a showing and test drive.
Registration
Do I need to register the Vespa?
The State of Florida requires any motorcycle that is 150 cc's or more to be registered like any other car or motor vehicle in Florida. Because our Vespas are 150 cc's, yes, you will have to register the Vespa and it will be classified as a motorcycle.
Will I receive a new title for the Vespa?
Yes. When you take the documentation you receive from us (including the deleted title certification from the country of origin that we provide) to the Tag and Title Agency, they will issue you a new title in your name. This is a clean title, not rebuilt or salvage. The Vespa will be titled as an original 1960's Italian manufactured Vespa with fewer than 30 miles on the original title. Because the vehicle is more than 30 years old, you will also qualify for an "Antique" license plate, which I highly recommend! :)
How much do the registration and title fees cost?
Tax, Tag and Title typically cost about $250. Other than that, everything else is included in the price of the Vespa - import fees, freight and delivery, and DMV inspection. We do not cover the cost of T,T&T because you will be the first registered owner of the Vespa under the new title, and this is collected when you register the scooter for the first time.
Once I receive the Vespa and documents, how long does it take to register the Vespa so i can drive it?
Once you have the documentation in hand, all you have to do is go to the local Tag and Title office, and the process takes about 20 minutes (not including waiting time!). You will walk out with your new registration, title and license plate the same day.
About your Vespa
Are these 100% authentic Vespa scooters?
YES! All of our Vespas were originally manufactured by Piaggio in Italy back in the 1960's and 70's. The motor and chasis numbers are clearly visible and have been checked with Piaggio's original manufaturer serial numbers. They are then inspected again here in the US by the Florida DMV and an original Vespa title is issued to you for the year of manufacture.
Does my Vespa come with a warranty?
Yes. Even though your Vespa is more than 40 years old, it has been restored to a like new condition. All of our scooters are also tested thoroughly before we ship them. For this reason, we offer a 6 month warranty on your Vintage Vespa. If it breaks, we will fix it!
What do I need to know about Vintage Vespas?
Great question! Keep in mind that even though this Vespa is 100% restored and is in like new condition, it was originally manufactured over 40 years ago, and embraces some preety "old school" technology.
First thing to know is that this is a MANUAL transmission scooter, meaning it drives very similar to a motorcycle that has a clutch and gears, as opposed to most modern scooters that are automatic. It has a 4 speed hand shifter on the left hand grip and is pretty easy to get used to.
It is very important that the rings and bearings are properly seated during the initial break-in period. To ensure proper break-in, you should accelerate and decelerate gently, avoid running the engine at high RPMs, avoid heavy loading, and avoid highways and big hills throughout the first few hundred miles. The nicer you are to it during the break-in period, the harder you can ride it afterwards. The engine will gain approximately 20% more power after the break-in.
Fuel and mixture
One of the great things about this scooter is that it has a 2 stroke engine, making it VERY easy to maintain and work on. However, you will need to mix 2 stroke oil with regular unleaded gasoline when you fill the tank. Here are some easy calculations for you.
2 Stroke Oil to Gasoline Blend - 2%
2.6 oz of 2 stroke oil to every gallon of unleaded gasoline
Tank capacity - 2 gallons
5.2 oz of 2 stroke oil to every tank of gasoline
MPG Rating - about 75 MPG!!!!
Starting the Vespa
Your Vespa uses an old school "kick-start". When getting used to starting the Vespa for the first few times, you will want to make sure it is "parked" on the kick-stand. Turn the Fuel Tap to the open "twelve o'clock" position, make sure the scooter is in NEUTRAL, turn the ignition key clockwise, and from a standing position, "kick" the starter pedal towards the ground with force. If the vespa hasn't been started in a while, or it is cold outside, you may need to pull the choke to the out position while starting.
Maintenance
We will provide you with an operating and maintenance manual prior to the arrival of your Vespa that includes all of the necessary intstructions for keeping the scooter in tip-top condition.
You can also download it here:
http://www.scooterhelp.com/serial/VLB.manual.html.
Additionally, we are here with a full service shop to provide you with these maintenance services and repairs if needed.
How fast do your Vespas go?
All of our Vespas have been restored with an upgraded Vespa 150 cc VLX motor, giving you a top speed of 55 - 60 MPH.
What kind of fuel economy can I expect?
These Vespas make Al Gore look like an eco-terrorist! Getting about 70-75 MPG, a tank of gas will last you a month... and cost roughly $7 bucks.