A Vespa with a Royal Connection
![The vespa with a a royal connection on display](https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/transforms/lmmnews/448536/vespa_news_banner_opt_272f1834e9c4ed259570bc582d3e22a7.jpg)
Vistors can roll back the years with a very special two-wheeler which once belonged to one of the most prominent members of the Royal family.
![A close-up of the headlight of the vespa](https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/transforms/pages/448557/vespa_news_inline_01_opt_5c82bc88bf37bd552c62ea8dc7f20b97.jpg)
Evocative of the Mod culture of the 1960s, Vespas were the two-wheeled stars of the classic British film Quadrophenia and are an enduring symbol of teenage rebellion and carefree youth.
They also became the ‘must have’ fashion accessory for any self-respecting Mod, with around two million Vespas sold in 1960 and sales shooting up to the four million mark by 1970.
![The simple dash of the 1963 Vespa Sportique](https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/transforms/pages/448559/vespa_news_inline_02_opt_5c82bc88bf37bd552c62ea8dc7f20b97.jpg)
In more recent decades, the Vespa continued to cement its reputation as a design icon, particularly in Italy where they represent adventure and romance.
It is also a symbol of regeneration, providing low-cost reliable transport for people to get around easily.
![Close-up of the Vespa logo](https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/transforms/pages/448561/vespa_news_inline_03_opt_5c82bc88bf37bd552c62ea8dc7f20b97.jpg)
Our collection has a special Royal connection with these iconic Italian Scooters, as the proud owner of a 1963 Vespa Sportique which once belonged to the Queen’s younger sister, Princess Margaret.
Permanently on display in our upstairs gallery, its wasp-like shape and curved bodywork are the epitome of the classic Vespa.
![Our chairman, Bill Bewley photographed next to the famous Vespa](https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/transforms/pages/448563/vespa_news_inline_04_opt_5c82bc88bf37bd552c62ea8dc7f20b97.jpg)
Our chairman, Bill Bewley, says: “Just the mention of the word Vespa conjures up all kinds of images of 1960s Mod-culture and their customised machines.
“Many people are surprised to find out that Princess Margaret’s Vespa is here on display, but if you think about it, she certainly had a rebellious streak!
“Of course, it’s just one of a wide range of two-wheeled wonders we have on permanent display.
“Other vintage scooters on show at the museum include a rare British Swallow Gadabout and a Lambretta Xi150 Special.
“There is also a Grigg Solo motor scooter stretching back more than 100 years to 1920.
“Plus, we have a collection of almost 100 motorcycles, including a display of racing superbikes on loan from Isle of Man TT hero John McGuinness – better known as ‘the Morecambe Missile’.”
![Montage of the vespa](https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/transforms/pages/448565/vespa_news_inline_05_opt_5c82bc88bf37bd552c62ea8dc7f20b97.jpg)
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