VESPA PX-150 Iconic old school ride

MANILA, Philippines - It has landed! A truly timeless piece is back again – the classic scooter, the icon, the Vespa PX-150. This Italian machine from Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. (which started out as an aircraft manufacturer) hit the Philippines once more thru MotoItalia. Since 1946, the Vespa (Italian and Latin for wasp) has soared with 17 million units sold across the globe – which is why it was once regarded as the best-selling scooter. These days, it is still the best known scooter brand in the world.

My first encounter with the Vespa PX-150 model was in 1997, when it was locally available. That time, the only thing I did was touch the grips of the handle bar. I also told the owner that it was nice and that I liked the retro look, but that was it. Seven years later, at the Batangas Racing Circuit, after hearing fellow “vespanatic” Dominic Ochoa brag about his new Vespa, I began to think about taking a closer look at the Vespa. So one day Dominic came to my house with his Vespa and had me try it. Sleepless nights followed. I did the math. After a few days, I phoned the local dealer of Vespa and placed my order. But alas, according to the salesman there were no more PX-150s available. What they had was the PX-200. Still wanting that stylish scooter with the retro look, I ended up buying it. Because of this purchase, I started riding again after 14 years. After finding a Vespa community in the south (some of whom were my neighbors and former schoolmates), I became a member and eventually an officer of Scoot 66, a Vespa PX 150-dominated European scooter club.

Short and long rides followed. Short rides would mean anywhere from BF Parañaque to Petron Alabang, Binondo, Tagaytay, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal. Long rides brought us to Quezon, Zambales, Baguio City, and the farthest I reached, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Because of these rides, I had my second close encounter with the PX-150. This 149.60cc powered steel frame scooter could run up to almost 100kph completely stock. Compared to my PX-200, it one felt lighter, had a more quiet engine, and lesser vibration. If you were not contented with the top speed, there were upgrades like blocks and tune pipes which could increase your top speed to 110-120kph (or even more if I remember correctly) with its 10-inch tires! The scooter was very similar to a car that you would dress up every now and then. There were lots of accessories available locally and abroad. You could choose to maintain it the classy way or makie it “retroer” with different designs of rear and front carriers, vintage emblems, spare tire prominently sitting on the rear carrier or you could opt for that sporty look (Vespas are raced here and abroad) replacing your long seat with a saddle seat, Ancillotti, Linea Corsa, or the all carbon fiber saddle used for racing. There was a wide choice too for handle grips, tires,and mags not to mention the dog leg levers for your clutch and front brake.

Fast forward to 2011. The new Vespa PX-150 comes with new chrome trimmings and halogen headlight. It has a single cylinder, two-stroked air-cooled rotary inlet valve carburated engine and is now reinforced with a front single disc brake for a more efficient stopping power assisted by a rear drum brake. It comes equipped with a 4-speed manual trasnmission gearbox and a single sided trailing link with hydraulic shock absorber for the front suspension and a hydraulic monoshock for the rear suspension. It also features CDI electronic ignition with both electric and the classic kick starter – not to forget the trademark spare tire on the left side of the scooter.

Once branded here in Manila as the choice of riders and collectors from the upper echelons of society, now anyone can have that classic wasp thru MotoItalia’s flexible financing schemes. The standard retail price of the Vespa PX-150 is P275,000.

From the province of Pontedera, Italia to the streets of Rome, Milan, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, down south to Melbourne and Syndey and finally to Manila, the new Vespa PX-150 is a sure eye catcher. And we’re pretty sure it’ll be a trend-setter again with its choice of Nero Lucido (black), Monte Bianco (white), Azzuro Mediterraneo (blue), and Rosso Dragon (red) shades.

Kim Atienza once arrived at the famed Venezia of Louie Ysmael in Makati with a back rider, his then-girlfriend Fely Hung (now Mrs. Atienza). It was a clear demonstration of how a mass transport vehicle had turned into lifestyle icon and a fashion trend. That’s the iconic Vespa for you. That’s how you arrive.