1950s scootering photos

Big thanks to Michel for forwarding across these 1950s scootering images, which actually feature his parents.

Although pre-dating the mod movement, Michel points out that his parents were scooter riding youths from French and Italian families, who were 'always dressing really clean' and 'always going dancing'.

The above image is one of three from the era, you'll find the other two over the page. Enjoy and of course, if you have photos for either the newsfeed or the gallery, drop us a line.

Adidas Vespa PX trainers

Not to be confused with the Vespa Blue footwear, the Adidas Vespa PX trainers are more like a traditional Adidas trainer, just with a bit of Vespa detailing.

Yes, another design from the Adidas Originals x Vespa collection, the PX trainer offers up a lightweight white upper with three-stripe Adidas branding, a Vespa heel logo, leather tongue tab, eyelets and 'retro' sockliner. Although Vespa collectors might be more interested in the a special Vespa box and scooter graphic paper wrap.

We suspect they're a limited run, so if you want them, grab them now for £69.99. See over the page for another image.

Find out more at the Size website

Adidas Vespa polo shirt

Adidas and Vespa are still persevering with their clothing range, so following on from the trainers and the track top, we now have the Adidas Vespa polo shirt.

It's an unusual polo shirt you'll either love or hate, with formal detailing like the button-down collar mixing it with a casual hem, as well as offering a five-button collar, Vespa logo and three stripe detailing on the sleeves.

Available now, you can pick one up for £40.

Find out more at the End Clothing website

Peter Sellers' 60s Mini up for auction

One of the most famous Minis ever made will go up for auction this month - and for the right price, you can own Peter Sellers' Mini, made famous in the original Pink Panther movie.

It's not just any old movie Mini either, this one was made for Sellers himself, commissioned from the exclusive coachbuilders, Radfords, offering very un-Mini-like features including leather seats, Wilton carpets, a walnut dash, a host of extra instruments, chrome window surrounds and its famous 'wicker work' paint job - hand-painted lines to give the effect of basketwork. Apparently it cost roughly the same as a Rolls Royce back in the early 60s!

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Zepii retro-styled electric scooters

Fancy cruising round the streets on a vintage-style scooter, but don't want to do further damage to the environment? You need one of these Zepii retro-styled electric scooters.

Obviously being both new and electric, this isn't one for the purists. But if you want something cheap and nippy for getting around town, it might be worth a look. Taking its design inspiration from the vintage Vespas (not to mention some nifty lights and a backrest), the Zepii offers between 50 and 60km of travel from an eight hour charge from your mains, costing around 8p for 40 miles of riding and of course, throwing out absolutely no emissions. Top speed? We don't know, but we suspect you'll not be burning rubber when the lights change.

If you want one, check out the Zepii website for the lowdown, with prices around the £849 mark, which seems pretty reasonable for something that costs peanuts to run. See over for another image of the scoot.

Find out more at the Zepii website

Via Retro To Go

Vespa: An Illustrated History

The original version came out back in 1993, now an updated second edition of Vespa: An Illustrated History is available via Haynes.

The original was by longstanding Vespa importer Eric Brockway, who has now sadly died. The updated version adds content from journalist Peter Henshaw, both men taking the Vespa journey (in the UK) from 1949, but now taking in the modern-day models alongside the classics through original advertisements, publicity shots, factory pictures, celebrity snaps and of course, your average man or woman in the street.

Available now, it retails for just over £9.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Liam Gallagher's Quadrophenia shoot

According to Liam Gallagher, his Pretty Green label is going to features the likes of desert boots, nice knitwear, quality clobber and 'none of that skinny stuff', which doesn't sound a million miles away from what we feature on here.

So it's no surprise to see the advertising campaign borrowing a bit from the world of mod too, specifically Quadrophenia if these images are anything to go by. They appeared on the Pretty Green site ahead of the label's full launch in June.

We're looking forward to it, especially if classic gear is the name of the game. See more images from the photoshoot over the page or check out the label's website via the link below.

Pretty Green website

Fred Perry/Vespa limited edition scooter

As part of Fred Perry centenary celebrations, the company has teamed up with Vespa to offer up a limited edition scooter.

This isn't just a promotional item, the Fred Perry / Vespa scooter will be available to buy in limited numbers in the UK, USA, France and Japan from August 2009 in classic Fred Perry colourways and featuring the FP centenary laurel.

Just 100 will be sold, for how much we don't know, but we suspect they'll come in at a premium. If you want to get your name down, drop Fred Perry a line here. See over the page for more images.

Fred Perry 100 Years website

Lamponi's Lambretta headlight lamps

Remember the Lamponi vintage Vespa headlight lamps? Well, the Italian designer is back with a new range of quirky, craftsman-made lighting, including the stunning Lambretta headlight lamps.

Just like the Vespa lights, these Lambretta variations use original scooter fittings (presumably from bikes that couldn't be salvaged), with the lamps themselves being aluminium castings, turned, polished and painted, as well as being made to order - which means you can decide how you want yours finished for that genuine 'one off'.

Get in touch with the designer if you want one, with prices starting around the £800 mark. See over for another of the new Lambretta lights.

Find out more at the Lamponi website