The first real scooter event of the new year has for a while now been seen by most as the Burton Brewers Custom Show; run by scooterists, for scooterists. Not only that, but this year they even managed to add some unseasonably warm sunshine to the line-up, which no one was complaining about at all.
Helping the Vespa Club of Britain on their stall throughout the day meant early entry for us and after entertaining a few Brewers, as the four shortest people at the National Brewery Centre that day struggled to erect the club’s gazebo, I set off to check out the scooters in the show.
Most of these had been wheeled past (or under) the stall, which did delay the setting-up process a little as we were distracted by greetings and gawpings, and also meant I knew that once inside there would be a few gems to appreciate.
On the vintage front, Goofy and I helped the VMSC’s Ian Harrop unload a couple of British Dayton Albatross scooters beforehand, which now stood resplendent as part of their club display – along with Model B, C and D Lambrettas. Whilst elsewhere in the marquee a Vespa GS 150 waved Piaggio’s flag from the 1950s.
Up on the staged area a couple of custom stunners took pride of place, the Vespa Real Gone Kid and Lambretta Wake; both scooters from yesteryear, both recently restored, and both (I’m proud to say) featured in recent editions of ScooterNova magazine, 7 and 11 respectively (back issues, the current issue and subscriptions can be ordered here). Wake wasn’t actually entered into the show, owner Jason simply displaying it for all to enjoy – and plenty did appreciate the chance to look over this 80s classic in fine details too.
Naughty but Nice
Sticking with the 80s, BBSC members displayed a couple of Armandos Vespa PXs too and the revamped Lambretta Naughty but Nice was also in attendance. Norrie Kerr’s former racing Vespa SS90 was another machine from a bygone era still receiving attention, while at the opposite end of things this weekend saw the first outing for an extremely eye-catching Lambretta tribute to F1 driver Ayrton Senna which deservedly took a couple of trophies home on its debut.
Resurrected
Whilst we’re talking about vintage customs, an older custom painted by Dave Dickinson, themed on the Stone Roses also had its first public airing thanks to a new owner that had literally resurrected it, blown the cobwebs off, fettled the engine and bought this former display piece out into the public eye. Watch out for both of these in forthcoming editions of ScooterNova magazine.
Further interesting specimens could be found nestling between the choppers, period street racers and cutdowns by way of two standard looking Spanish Jet 200s, with regards to paint at least.
Engineering
Far less than standard was the RG500 engined Lambretta, Suzuki 650cc engined ‘Fat Boy’ Vespa (ScooterNova edition 4) and the later arrival of La Cucaracha, a 7 feet long Vespa!
Whilst the metalflake sparkled inside, back outside the sun had done its work and scooterists were out in droves. The parking area was full, as were pavements and side roads, and from the VCB stall point of view that was reflected in customers, which with ScooterNova Magazine also in residence meant we were kept busy all day long.
