In the wreckage of post WWII Italy the aircraft and maker Piaggio decided that Italy desperately needed cheap and reliable transportation. They patented their first effort in April, 1946 and had a 1947 model in production. Their aircraft heritage clearly showed in the bodywork of the newly named Vespa.
By the early 1960s Vespa was being made under license in Germany, France, UK, Spain, Belgium, Brazil, India and Indonesia. Vespa sold their one millionth scooter in 1956 and by 1970 the company had sold over 4 million units.
The 1967 Vespa Sprint 150 used a 145.5 CC air cooled two stroke single cylinder motor that made 7.7 HP run through a 4 speed (hand shifted) transmission for a top speed of 59 MPH. Front suspension was a mono shock and the rear used a coil spring with a damper. Drum brakes front and rear, interchangable 10 inch wheels and a dry weight of 196 LBS completed the package.
This particular 1967 Vespa Sprint 150 is in West Hollywood, California and is listed as a ‘full nut and bolt restoration’. Not much information in the listing, but a ton of very good pictures. The bike has a Buy It Now price of $3,650 in an auction that ends Friday, February 10th
Sources:
Wikipedia Sprint
Wikipedia Vespa
MCS
Scooter Lounge