Motor scooters are popular

[klingon]

Motor scooters are catching on. A few years ago, most New Zealanders looked on them as an expensive toy. Now as traffic congestion and parking problems grow, motor scooters are appearing in ever-increasing numbers.

Recently the Herald’s motoring correspondent had the chance of trying three makes of scooter – the Lambretta LD, Douglas Vespa and Zundapp Bella.

The Lambretta and Vespa have 125cc engines; the Zundapp is supplied with either a 150cc or 200cc unit.

There is not a loafer among the three. Their tiny engines are gluttons for hard work. They are quite powerful enough for a pillion passenger to be carried at moderate speeds. Whether their motors are hot or cold, all are easy starters.

- New Zealand Herald, 10 March 1955

[robo555]

'1955'? News?

[klingon]

'1955'? News?

Yep. You heard it first on Kiwi Biker.

I especially like the reference to traffic congestion and parking problems.

[gammaguy]

the french have a saying that sums it up:

la plus c'est changee,la plus c'est la meme chose:yes:

[xwhatsit]

Excellent! I love these that you're posting up. Where are you getting them from?

[KiwiRat]

the french have a saying that sums it up:

la plus c'est changee,la plus c'est la meme chose:yes:

The more things change, the more they stay the same.....................

[scootnz]

I'm still riding my douglas vespa. Had to sell the LD though.

Haven't tried the Bella yet.


Motor scooters are catching on. A few years ago, most New Zealanders looked on them as an expensive toy. Now as traffic congestion and parking problems grow, motor scooters are appearing in ever-increasing numbers.

Recently the Herald’s motoring correspondent had the chance of trying three makes of scooter – the Lambretta LD, Douglas Vespa and Zundapp Bella.

The Lambretta and Vespa have 125cc engines; the Zundapp is supplied with either a 150cc or 200cc unit.

There is not a loafer among the three. Their tiny engines are gluttons for hard work. They are quite powerful enough for a pillion passenger to be carried at moderate speeds. Whether their motors are hot or cold, all are easy starters.

- New Zealand Herald, 10 March 1955

[slofox]

The wonderful thing about scooters is that they confer invulnerability upon the owners from the moment of purchase. They don't have to wear any protective gear or any of that crap. Hell, I even saw one dude last week who didn't even need a helmet! Amazing huh? All us bikers are just plain old dumb, needing all that protective stuff. Get a scooter! Become invulnerable!!!

[klingon]

Excellent! I love these that you're posting up. Where are you getting them from?

The articles are out of this book:
Good Morning New Zealand: News stories of the day from the 1950s
Editor Gil Dymock
Published in 1990 by Moa Publications Ltd.

I'm just loving the articles about bodgies and widgies, and some of the advertisements are delightful. I wish I had a scanner so I could share some photos of the 'milk-bar cowboys' in Queen Street.

[Ixion]

The Zundapp is a *very* good scooter.

[klingon]

The Zundapp is a *very* good scooter.

... and I do love the tangerine colour scheme!

http://classic-motorcycles.com/bella.html

[NordieBoy]

Sterling silver badge from the 1950's "Nelson Motor-Cycle, Car and Scooter Organisation".

The local old-boi racerz.

<img src=http://photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/files/nmccso.jpeg>

[McWild]

Sorta on topic, did NZ ever have a cafe racer scene?

[klingon]

Sorta on topic, did NZ ever have a cafe racer scene?

I really have to scan that pic of the milk-bar cowboys... some of their bikes looked like classic cafe racers.

[3L4NS1R]

cause you all know what the worse thing about riding a scooter is aye?


telling your parents you're gay.

[madbikeboy]

cause you all know what the worse thing about riding a scooter is aye?


telling your parents you're gay.

So, your parents gave you a hard time, or were they accepting of your life choice?