The scarce Viceroy scooter of 1960s

As we all know, that in the 1950s to 1960s can be said as of the scooter heyday. It can be seen with the many emerging scooter brands in the world (especially in Europe).

In addition to Italy, which has been known as the country where the beginning of the emergence of this scooter trend occurred, it turns out in Britain there are also many emerging brands that also create an unusual form of scooters. And one of them is a scooter made by Velocette.

1960 Velocette Viceroy used a unique front-mounted 250cc two-stroke engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZyOaDh)

Velocette is a line of motorcycles made by Veloce Ltd, in Hall Green, Birmingham, England. One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham, Velocette was a small, family-owned firm, selling almost as many hand-built motorcycles during its lifetime, as the mass-produced machines of the giant BSA and Norton concerns.

In 1960, Velocette introduced the Velocette Viceroy, an unusual-shaped scooter that carried a 250 cc twin-stroke engine. What is unique to Viceroy is its twin-cylinder engine is mounted in front, and the fuel tank is mounted under the front legshield. The engine itself is very compact, and is connected to the clutch and transmission mounted behind by the drive shaft of the flywheel mounted on the engine.

1960 Velocette Viceroy's engine is capable of spewing power of more than 15 hp (11 kW) and made a comfortable cruising speed reported 65 mph (105 kph). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2WX9Qau)

This scooter has also applied an electric starter to start the engine, by using a 12 volt electrical system, has a very low center of gravity, and this scooter engine is capable of spewing power of more than 15 hp (11 kW) and made a comfortable cruising speed reported 65 mph (105 kph). No wonder if the Viceroy scooter model performance, handling and features could be said to be the first class.

But unfortunately this scooter came at the wrong time where the market power and the rider preferences had been changed very drastic, it causing the scooter to be unsuccessful in sales. It was noted later that the company had never made a scooter anymore until closed in February 1971.😭

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops......  *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RETRORAMBLING | WIKIPEDIA]

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The most gorgeous French scooter of the 1950s

The Italian 'scooter invasion' of the late 1940s to early 1950s was a challenge to every European vehicle manufacturer. Of all the French manufacturers' responses, the Terrot scooter was one of the most inspired. Previously, there's Bernardet another French company had already responded in 1950 to the Italian challenge; but their machines were large and not as chic as a Lambretta or Vespa.

1952 Terrot VMS1 98cc with frame number 068 is one of 100 machines that included in the early batch. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3geKTzh)

A number of other manufacturers also fielded scooters that were old-fashioned in their styling, painfully obvious seen when Lambretta bodywork was totally restyled in the early fifties. Even though the early Terrot scooters were only used a 98cc engine and so not very successful at a practical level. And the consumers in the time saw the Terrot was a design success, and supported by its most dynamic marketing campaign that the French had ever seen so far.

1952 Terrot VMS1 98cc with engine number 700168 could be said as the oldest Terrot scooter currently known. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3geKTzh)

The most interesting aspect of its advertising is that it was promoted as a 'two-wheeled car.' See how the ad below ("like a luxury car") pictures it large in the foreground with a car in the background to emphasis its apparent has a larger size. Nothing could be further from the truth – it's only a small scooter!

By using a 98cc two-stroke engine that is considered underpowered in the time, but doesn't diminish the beauty of 1952 Terrot VMS1 until now. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3geKTzh)

But we're known for sure its dynamic 'modern' styling had appealed to the youth of the day. And, like all scooters, with the enclosed bodywork hiding any hint whatsoever of its mechanical innards, advertising was pitched directly to the female motorists. Of course, cars also hide their oily bits, and We're sure this was the psychological connection intended by the advertising campaigns.

1953 Terrot VMS2 used a 125cc two-stroke engine and coupled with a 3-speed gearbox. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2AO6nCH)

The company's first scooter was displayed at the Paris Salon in late 1951 but did not go into full production until March 1952. And the first Terrot scooter model named VMS1 and only made in limited numbers, ie 100 units only. 

1956 Terrot VMS3 (Scooterrot) used a 125cc two-stroke engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/36jVUdH)

Then in 1953-1954, the company made the VMS2 models with a 125cc engine and 3-speed gearbox. Compared to the VMS1 there are few external variations that were added.

Later, the VMS3 scooter models were introduced in May 1955, was renamed the 'Scooterrot.' And after all these years of success and then the company's scooter production should be ceased in 1957 due to unknown reasons. While the remaining VMS3 models were known to be exported to England by Phealon and Moore in 1958.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MILANUNCIOS]

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Did you know the Colibri scooter?

If you talk about two-wheeled vehicles from Austria, of course maybe you will immediately mention the KTM brand (Kronreif & Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen). Yes, indeed this brand is one of the leading motorcycle brands from Austria that produces various types of motorized vehicles to date. Then there are other two-wheeled vehicle brands such as Puch which is quite well known in the 1950s to 1960s.

Then more specifically talking about scooters made by Austrian manufacturers, the Puch scooter brand is quite well-known compared to other country brands such as KTM, and maybe only a few know if KTM has also made scooters in the past.

1952 Colibri Standard used a 125cc DKW motor that can be speeding up to its top speed of 80kph with only 198 units ever produced. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ctSk30)

But does anyone know apart from the two Austrian brands mentioned above who also made scooters? Apparently, there is an unknown small company that made the scooter products under the trademark 'Colibri.' As quoted from Cybermotorcycle, that the company was founded by Josef Walter and is domiciled in Frömmel Gasse 28, Vienna 21.

This Vienna-based small company made its first scooter prototype in 1947 and then produced it starting in 1952. All of the scooters at that time used machines made by the German manufacturer DKW.

The first model called Colibri Standard used a 125cc DKW motor with a top speed of 80kph with only 198 units ever produced. Another model called Colibri 175 used a 175cc DKW motor with a top speed of 90kph and only 3 units produced. 

1952 Colibri Standard under red-white on display at the Villacher Fahrzeugmuseum in Austria. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bqRyCJ)

Indeed, the machines were of considerable quality but the price was rather too high for the market to bear, and as a result, the scooter sales numbers were poor, with a total output of 201 scooters by the time the small factory ceased manufacture in 1954.😭

1952 Colibri Standard under red-white on display at the Villacher Fahrzeugmuseum in Austria. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bqRyCJ)

Not much is known about this Colibri brand, because of the rarity of the scooter product and it is unknown how many units remain to this day. So if you want to see this scooter outside the museum, of course, it's very difficult.

It is very unfortunate if Colibri from Austria did not have time to grow because the company has to face the reality of the rigors of the motor vehicle industry at that time. Maybe that's the fate of this Austrian Colibri who didn't have time to feel flying far away.😭

Finally, if the information in the article above is still felt to be inadequate or inaccurate and or you have any additional information related to this brand, please do not hesitate to let us know through the comments column below this article.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CYBERMOTORCYCLE]

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The rarest FM Molteni scooter

This time we return to Italy for a moment. Indeed, this pizza country cannot be separated from the automotive world, especially the culture of scooters. Yes, as we all know that from this country the popular culture of scooters first emerged after World War II and then spread throughout the world to date.

1950 FM Molteni T50 was on display as the Legend of the Motorcycle at the International Concours d'Elegance 2006. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3c5M9lM)

It was noted that there were several Italian manufacturers who had made scooters in the past besides Piaggio and Innocenti such as, Ducati was made a beautiful scooter known as the Ducati Brio, then there was Teodoro Carnielli & Co. made a thin scooter named the Carnielli Vittoria Type 65, then there was Rumi 'Ants' Formichino from Moto Rumi, MV Agusta 125 series, Motto Guzzi with its Galletto, etc.

1950 FM Molteni T50 used a two-stroke 125 cc with a three-speed gearbox with the control on the handlebar and a chain-driven transmission. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3c5M9lM)

Well, besides the brands mentioned above there are still more beautiful scooters made by Italian companies, like the scooter as follows named FM Molteni T50. The scooters were produced by the Milan-based company named Officine Meccaniche Fratelli Molteni (FM).

1950 FM Molteni T50 had a truss frame with a single central cast alloy, which incorporated the fuel reservoir and the light support on the saddle. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3c5M9lM)

The company was founded by the Molteni brothers whose previously bore the names, Ditta Molteni, Erba, Como, later Moto Molteni, Molteni later Officine Meccaniche Fratelli. The company's latest production base was in Milan. 

And initially, the company built motorcycles by using an aluminum alloy frame fitted with 350cc and 500cc engines sourced from MAG of Switzerland and Bradshaw (GB). The forks and guards were also of alloy, apparently. One of their logos consisted of three superimposed letters M representing Moto Molteni MAG. Postwar, the logo was a simple FM, with the right leg of the M rounded below.

An advertorial leaflet of the 1952 FM Molteni T50 scooter. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3b3SVXQ)

After being ceased for more than 20 years due to the war, and in 1950 production was resumed at the new plant in Milan, with its first scooter production named FM Molteni T50. This is an alloy-framed scooter. 

The FM Molteni T50 scooter was designed by R. Juga in collaboration with A. Pajaga, and it had a truss frame with single central cast alloy, which incorporated the fuel reservoir and the light support on the saddle. The swingarm was built on top of the truss frame. The engine was a two-stroke 125cc with a three-speed gearbox with the control on the handlebar and a chain-driven transmission. 

1952 FM Molteni T52 comes with aesthetic changes, engine cover, and headlights on the front fenders. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2xw6uBt)

While the second model called FM Molteni T52 featured almost similar two-stroke 125cc engined but with an increase in style and performance with the front fork was cast in one piece, including the fender that contained housing for the spring suspension.

But unfortunately, the company is not long-lived and should be ceased its production for good in 1954 due to financial problems. It is not known how many scooters were produced by this company from 1950 until it ceased production in 1954.

Finally, if the information in the article above is still felt to be inadequate or inaccurate and or you have any additional information related to this brand, please do not hesitate to let us know through the comments column below this article.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OTTW | WOIWEB | CYBERMOTORCYCLE]

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The first CHiP's motorcycle prototype

A motorcycle that has a high-capable power as an operational vehicle for law enforcement on the highway has become a necessity. This is what might have thought by law enforcers incorporated in the California Highway Patrol (CHiP) unit in the early 1940s. 

So then they tried to make a motorcycle prototype for this purpose and then send it to the motorcycle maker as an appropriate sample.

1947 Jordan Twin Crank Four (E) prototype as an example to be made in the motorcycle factory. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bqV6Ws)

Well, LeGrand Jordan is one of the first California Highway Patrol officers, and in 1947 he developed a motorcycle prototype that was named the Jordan and was used as a motorcycle for pursuing the traffic violator vehicles on the highways.

1947 Jordan motorcycle in The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2013. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BYJ4MB)

The Jordan motorcycle adopts a Twin crankshaft Four shaft engine which has a 1,000 cc of capacity and reversed rotating to balance the bike. This bike uses a streamline pressed-steel body also serves as a motorcycle frame.

1947 Jordan motorcycle adopts a 1,000 cc Twin crankshaft Four shaft engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1BYJ4MB)

Jordan made the motorcycle as a sample and then offered to the various motorcycle factories to be made, but none of them were interested to produce it because of the design of such a complex.

Rearview of 1947 Jordan motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zBls1q)

So the Jordan Twin Crank Four prototype sits in pristine and unique glory, one of 20 classics in the Otis Chandler Motorcycle Gallery of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA 16022015 | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LOS ANGELES TIMES] 
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An Italian classic cockerel of the 1950s

Italy does have a very close relationship with the development of scooters in the world from the beginning up today. Yes, from this pizza country where the culture of scooters began which then spread throughout the world.

Moto Guzzi Galletto the first large-wheeled scooter of the 50s in rally for classic car and motorcycle festive during the Concorso d'Eleganza 2014 event at Lake Como, Italy. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2xx8ZDT)

But it's not just Italian companies like Piaggio or Innocenti that make scooters, apparently there are still many other manufacturers in this country who also made scooters shortly after the second world war ended.

It was noted that there were several Italian manufacturers who had made scooters in the past such as, Ducati was made a beautiful scooter known as the Ducati Brio, then there was Teodoro Carnielli & Co. made a thin scooter named the Carnielli Vittoria Type 65, then there was Rumi 'Ants' Formichino from Moto Rumi, MV Agusta 125 series, etc.

The Moto Guzzi Galletto came to combine the advantages of a motorbike with those of a scooter has. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RMZQOnT)

And at that time it turned out that scooter fever was also infected Moto Guzzi, an Italian famous motorcycle manufacturer. The motorcycle manufacturer has known endured from the industrys infancy to its place today as one of the oldest European manufacturers in continuous motorcycle production. 

Carlo Guzzi was one of Moto Guzzi’s three co-founders back in 1921, and he was the brainchild behind a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the Moto Guzzi Galletto (an Italian for cockerel). He decided to combine the advantages of a motorbike with those of a scooter, given the success of the Piaggio with Vespa in the time.

The Galletto came together with a tubular steel frame, leading link fork, and single sided swing arm wrapped around a 192cc . Both wheels were the same size, so an optional spare wheel/tire was thoughtfully included and tucked up front. This was Guzzi’s first scooter, and it was introduced at the 1950 Geneva Motor Show.

1952 Moto Guzzi Galletto came around with a 175cc air-cooled single cylinder engine and four speeds. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VEqvOl)

Moto Guzzi’s Galletto offered the superior handling qualities of a true motorcycle, it was therefore suitable for long journeys thanks to its comfort and safety, and maintenance very economical. 

The first model that launched in 1950 runs used a 160cc engine coupled with a three-speed manual transmission system, then the Galletto was upgraded to 175cc and four speeds in 1952 and lastly to 192cc air-cooled single in 1954.

After approximately 15 years of production, the Galetto were sold over 75,000 units. With alongside its other famous compatriot scooters, the Vespa and Lambretta, the Galletto is included one of the most iconic Italian classic scooter ever made!

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ORLANDO MUSEUM | ITALIAN VITAGE MOTORS | BIKE-URIOUS | COYS.CO.UK]

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