Rare military moped up for grabs

Nobody messes with this Vespa

Posted: 8 May 2012
by Visordown News

A VESPA modified in the 1950s to carry a massive 75mm gun is up for grabs at the Coys auction in Monaco this weekend.

The enormous gun (a US-made M20 recoilless rifle) was fitted to around 800 Vespas in the 1950s for the French airborne forces, but few survive. As rider, you actually sit astride the barrel; cue the “is that a gun in your pocket” references now!

Apparently you couldn't fire the massive gun betwixt your legs while actually riding. The bike had to be stopped and stabilisers put down before releasing a round. But it would still do very nicely when it comes to striking fear into other road users. This one has been deactivated anyway, but there's no reason anyone else should know that.

According to Coys, the bikes also had “additional rocket propelled grenades attractively presented in a wicker basket” and this one has been sitting unused on a military base for the last 30 years. It's in rough state, but no Vespa can be too hard to bring back to life, and this one certainly deserves it. Unfortunately, Coys suggests it would “make a fabulous corporate focal point" - we'd rather see it go to someone who can get it up and running to scare a few unwary drivers.

If you've got the estimated 12,000-15,000 Euros and want perhaps the toughest scooter ever made, check out www.coys.co.uk for more details of the sale.

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Discuss this story

The Equalizer 2

It's a vespa SCOOTER not a F@cking MOPED!

Jesus, they have only been around since 1946. They have a clutch and gears. In this case 3.

A little research would make the blind understand that Mopeds are not scooters. Better still look around there are vintage Vespa's everywhere.

Ha "moped" indeed.

Posted: 08/05/2012 at 23:09

evil ken evil

This moped looks like it could be a lot of fun

riding round rush hour traffic on this moped would be a giggle ... "get out of the way of my Rambo moped or your toast"

i bet motorists would soon be pulling out of the way of this moped

moped
moped
moped

Posted: 09/05/2012 at 08:33

Bob Yurunkel

Moped has pedals. MOtor+PEDals= MOPED!
But you brits are funny. Pushbike=bicycle, Fag=cigarette

Posted: 09/05/2012 at 13:24

evil ken evil

lol

Bob ...your spot on

its not just us brits ...but the rest of us in "yurupe" aswell

and our middle eastern cousins from i-raq and i-ran are worse

still i liked your comment though ....it was sick !

Posted: 09/05/2012 at 15:34

Hugh Jarse

Is it true, I wonder, that scooters are the favourite transport of homosexualists? Nothing wrong with that of course, everyone is free to do what they want.

Posted: 10/05/2012 at 20:58

tjz1100

Yeah, Scooters are for queers.

Has evolution really stopped?

anyhows, imagine getting stopped by Mr Plod whiloe riding that one?

Posted: 15/05/2012 at 14:04

bcitral

Huge Arse,

I suggest you go to your nearset scotter rally and poll them.

B

Posted: 15/05/2012 at 14:08

tjz1100

Yeah, Scooters are for queers.

Has evolution really stopped?

anyhows, imagine getting stopped by Mr Plod while riding that one?

Posted: 15/05/2012 at 14:27

Ber Gman

Not sure you understand the concept of scooter, calling thier riders homosexuals.
That is an insult to all the riders that use 2 wheels on our roads, and especially those whose only 2-wheel transport is a scooter through no fault of their own....especially older people with medical problems in the back, arm and legs areas (I know...can't get a leg over!)

Shame on you for such a bigotted opinion...I imagine you don't nod to other riders with 'inappropriate machines?

Scooters are a means to keep some riders on the road and enjoy the experience...it does for me, with Multiple Sclerosis with all its problems of weak limbs.

Your comment was weak-minded and cause for concern...no wonder some bikers are disliked by the public.

Posted: 15/05/2012 at 14:42

chilliwackcanad

tiffany necklacetiffany and company necklacetiffany and co necklacestiffany necklace onlinetiffany pendants.If the person becomes this buyer right away the discounted is huge.If the deal closes soon after five months one's M&A perform, the price cut has slid to be able to zero because we certainly have thrown him into your mix with a few other qualified prospective buyers and his offer are going to have been leveraged excessive by 25% plus.The results to this business owner this particular approach are generally meaningful.Initially, if this is certainly that extraordinary occurrence of any legitimate buyer by using a legitimate deliver, the owner are not going to pay a massive success payment for a small number of work.The second thing is, the owner are able to turn the burden for the process onto the M&A firm, freeing him about successfully function his business over the process

Posted: 17/05/2012 at 05:39

Talkback: Rare military moped up for grabs