In 1953 Vespa took a step back, to take a step forward. The Vespa 125U was Piaggio answer to a budget scooter for the Italian market, manufactured to compete for sales with the extremely low priced 1953 Lambretta E 125. Building on the configuration of the Vespa Allstate the Utilitarian was a stripped down offering of the 125cc new series model 53. For the first time in Italy the headlight was mounted on the handle bars. This had only been done previously on imports. The chrome plated parts were eliminated and replaced with paint to match the bodywork in a pastel green (Piaggio code 334). The Vespa logo was painted on and the Piaggio badge was replaced with a stamped and painted shield. There were no finishing details and no rubber covers on the center stand, brake pedal, kick start, or foot plate strips. The saddle, mudguard and front fender were smaller. The cowls were made of sheet steel and attached to the body with exposed screws and grey rubber seals. The engine cowl was cut down and minimized, offering immediate access to the engine and spark plug. Although this model launched a number of technical solutions that Vespa would use on later scooters, the U was unsuccessful and taken out of production at the years end. Only 7000 Vespa 125 U’s were made, making it one of the most sought after models by collectors…
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