Retro Archives

A yellow Vespa T5 with speedblock graphics doing a big wheelie.

SIP 199cc Kit: Quest for the Vespa T5 ‘Holy Grail’ PART 1 | Tech

My old T5 ‘Dreadnought’ has survived non-stop races over the Alps and being fitted with Nitrous Oxide for magazine articles. It’s now being dragged out of retirement, like Bruce Willis for Die Hard 18: Now, where did I put my keys? Vespa T5 riders are a particular breed. Back in…

iggy-grainger12 October 2026

Modern Modern Events Retro Retro Events

Vespa Roma ’26 – The return journey | FEATURE

If you've been riding scooters for a while and haven't been on a 'proper' adventure, why not start planning one for 2027? Martyn Peacock and a few NVLSC members (and friends) decided this year's Vespa Roma would be the perfect time to spread their wings and go on a big…

iggy-grainger8 October 2026

The winning teams with their Vespa smallframe racers at Teesside scooter endurance, September 2026.

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British Scooter Endurance Club – Teesside | RACING

Practice Having never even sat on the Holt Tune Lambretta before arriving at the track, I wanted to get a decent test on it the night before the race. After Ben and Kurt took the first stints, it was my turn. From the start, I noticed the amazing power when…

iggy-grainger2 October 2026

Crowds of motorcyclists at the 2025 Motorcycle Live show.

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Piaggio Group back at Motorcycle Live | NEWS

Piaggio has announced it will be back at the NEC for Motorcycle Live for the first time in years, which will be good news for many of our readers. The Italian bike and scooter giant will have all their brands represented at the NEC in November, including Vespa. The show…

iggy-grainger24 September 2026

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Italjet Dragster 300 Black Edition | REVIEW

Role reversal: most youngsters ride autos. Dan rides geared classic scooters but relished the chance to be let loose on the Dragster When some young whipper-snapper comes up to your stand at the biggest scooter rally in the world and asks to ride your scooter, what do you say? I'm…

iggy-grainger22 September 2026

A light blue Vespa Primavera sat in the factory in Pontedera with machinery in the background.

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Piaggio granted 3D trademark for Vespa Primavera | NEWS

Piaggio has just been granted a 3-dimensional trademark for the Vespa Primavera, meaning the familiar shape is protected from copycat manufacturers. A 3D Trademark has previously been granted to Coca-Cola for the shape of its bottles and to Toblerone for its triangular packaging, now Vespa joins the club. Piaggio Group…

iggy-grainger22 September 2026

A helmetless scooterist rides a Vespa PX on to a campsite. Tyhe nscooter is loaded with tent on the front and luggage at the rear.

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British Vespa Days – Bristol | RALLERY

Well, it doesn't feel like a year ago I was heading up to Stirling for the VCB's British Vespa Days, but it certainly is, so that means I'm off on my travels again. This time to Bristol, or more precisely Cleve Rugby Club. Bristol is apt as it's the 75th anniversary…

iggy-grainger15 September 2026

Jem Booth's AF Rayspeed Lambretta sidecar outfit being ridden by Graham Tatton at Teesside.

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Coming up: BSSO ‘Race To Remember’ – Cadwell Park | NEWS

This weekend sees the BSSO heading to Cadwell Park for the penultimate round of the BSSO Championships. The two-day meeting will feature the usual mix of top-flight scooter and bike racing action, plus a special extra final race on Saturday afternoon. The BSSO, BSEC and Lee Hollick have been raising…

iggy-grainger8 September 2026

Thousands of Vespas riding through Rome for the 80th anniversary.

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Vespa Roma ’26 – the main event | PART 2

Martyn Peacock from Northamptonshire Vespa and Lambretta Scooter Club recently wrote about his club's ride to Italy for Vespa Roma '26, which was the biggest gathering of Vespas ever.Closed streets on a Saturday morning- imagine London allowing this for a load of old scooters? Calm before the storm Here, in…

iggy-grainger20 August 2026

Steve Mason of the Beta Band on his green Lambretta GP.

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‘Failure is Always an Option’ by Steve Mason | BOOK REVIEW

When it comes to musical celebrities who’ve had a brush with scooters, then there are many. Paul Weller rode Lammies, Buster Bloodvessel – of Bad Manners – had Vespas, but were they ever really scooterists, to the point of turning up on 2 -wheels to a wet weekend in Exmouth?…

iggy-grainger18 August 2026