Vespa 150 / 150 Super Make Model | Vespa 150 / 150 Super | Year | 1954 - 60 | Production | 98 700 | Engine | Two stroke, single cylinder, | Capacity | 145.5 cc / 8.8 cub in | Bore x Stroke | 57 x 57 mm | Compression | 6.5:1 | Carburetor | Dell'Orto MA19 | Cooling | Air cooled, forced | Fuel Mixture | 1:20 | Ignition | 6 pole flywheel magneto | Starting | Kick start | Battery | 6V | Clutch | Wet, multiplate with cork inserts | Max Power | 4.0 kW / 5.4 hp | Transmission | 3 Speed, grip-shift, constant mesh | Gear Ratios | 1st 12.2 / 2nd 7.6 / 3rd 4.85:1 | Final Drive | Direct drive | Frame | Pressed sheet steel, streamlined monocoque structure | Front Suspension | Helicoidal spring and hydraulic shock absorber | Rear Suspension | Helicoidal spring and hydraulic shock absorber. If fitted with sidecar: wo helicoidal springs on the sidecar | Front Brakes | Drum, expanding type with cooling ribs | Rear Brakes | Drum, expanding type with cooling ribs | Wheels | Interchangeable | Front Tyre | 3.5 x 8" | Rear Tyre | 3.5 x 8" | Dimensions | Length: 1500 mm / 59 in Width: 790 mm / 31 in Height: 1040 mm / 41 in | Wheelbase | 1165 mm / 45.9 in | Ground clearance | 220 mm / 8.7 in | Turning Radius | 1500 mm / 59 in | Dry Weight | 98 kg / 216 lbs | Fuel Capacity | 6.25 L / 1.65 US gal | Consumption average | 2.4 L/100 km / 42 km/l / 98 US mpg | Top Speed | 75 km/h / 47mph (speed reduced by sidecar) | Colours | Metallic blue , Grey | The Vespa sidecar was manufactured between the end of1 948 and early 1949 following the success of the new 125cc engine. The Vespa 150 VL1 was the first to be built in this displacement, and the first were sold at the end of 1954. Studied in detail, the Vespa with the sidecar had one single long connecting arm with suspension and had coil springs for stability and comfort on long rides. The sidecar, whose elegant, aerodynamic design was much admired, allowed the passenger to be seated comfortably, protected by a windscreen and with a small luggage space behind the back rest. The sheet metal sidecar was assembled by hand and linked to the Vespa by a single tube, a Piaggio exclusive that also envisaged the substitution of the gear change ratio to facilitate riding on sharp gradients. Praised for its excellent performance even on snow-covered terrain and sharp ascents and descents, the sidecar model met the new need for comfort with the safety and practicality traditionally associated with the Vespa name. |