Classic Bikes / Vespa Sprint

Vespa Sprint

The Vespa GL’s successor, the Vespa Sprint was produced in two versions (the models made after 1968 were called Sprint Veloce). Both models reveal a major influence of their predecessor, especially when it comes to design and engine. But the manufacturer – Piaggio – introduced several modifications that made the Vespa Sprint and Vespa Sprint Veloce superior to the GL model.

Vespa Sprint Production History

The first Vespa Sprint motor scooter became available in 1965. Piaggio produced Sprints until 1968, while all models produced after 1969 were called Sprint Veloce. In addition to the name, there were some other differences between the two models, most notably the engine. While the Sprint models had a 2 port motor, the Sprint Veloce versions came with a 3 port motor which increased the compression ratio from 7:5:1 to 7:7:1. The Sprint Veloce series were made by the early 1976 when the production of this classic bike ceased. Nearly 350,000 models of the Sprint and Sprint Veloce were produced between 1965 and 1976.

Dating and Serial Numbers

All Vespas came out of the factory with a serial number on the engine case and frame which can be used to establish the date of production. The first three letters stand for the model, while the numbers reveal the date of production. Each year has its own numbers which can easily be checked online.

Vespa Sprint Vs Bajaj Chetak

In 1972, a virtually identical motor scooter started to be produced in India by the Bajaj Auto company. The latter previously gained a license from Piaggio, allowing it to produce a Vespa-based motor scooters for the Asian market. The attractive design and low cost made the Bajaj Chetak – the Indian-produced Vespa Sprint one of the most common means of transportation in the country all the way to the 21st century.

Produced until 2009, the Vespa-licensed Bajaj Chetak went through several notable changes over the decades to meet the needs of the changing market. However, India has changed dramatically over the last two decades and a growing number of Indians prefer either cars or motorcycles. The Bajaj Auto company therefore decided to cease with the production of motor scooters and focus on motorcycles instead. But there is good news for the owners of vintage Vespa Sprint. Hundreds of thousands of people still hold on to their Bajajs and as a result, it is still possible to find new body parts even if the original Sprint models ceased to be produced in the mid-1970s. It is important to keep in mind, however, that not all Bajaj parts fit the vintage Vespa Sprints.