The Purchase

Here was the craigslist ad that I saw to buy this scooter.

THIS IS A VERY, VERY RARE SCOOTER. There were only 500 produced worldwide. Made by Vespa, and imported by Cushman. 
This scoot is complete, and numbers matching. Its not running at present, but was up until last year. Has great compression. Turn this scooter into a museum piece, or as a special daily. 

With only 500 ever produced (documented serial numbers matching as authentic), you are sure to have something special for years to come. Who knows how many still exsist. My guess, if you see one in your life, this will be the only one. 

The seller was asking $2000. I emailed and asked if I could trade a 1980 restored P200E. He was not interested in a trade and needed to cash to move out of the country. I had no cash but I was ready to have a GS. I had a 1980 P200E and an original condition 1979 P200E. I knew if I could just sell one of these bikes I could have the money. But would the bike still be there? I had to get the bike as soon as I could otherwise it would be gone. In my experience I have not seen project GS scooter appear in AZ and the closest I have seen bikes for sale were a 6 hour drive to California. I wouldn't mind going to california for the right bike but typically you pay $3000 plus for even project bikes and anything under that goes too fast for me attempting to make arrangement to drive to CA for the bike. One thing to understand is I have the coolest wife in the world and as I called to explain my intentions I was pleased to hear her support. Added this scooter would be 4 scooters and 3 kids.  I called my brother and made arrangment to borrow the cash. All I needed to do was sell one of my P200 and how hard would that be? More on that later.

 

I made arrangements with the seller to see the bike. It was a Friday and he worked all weekend and said how about Monday? I have found that the best way to get what you want is to get the cash and get to the seller first. I said how about tonight? He agreed and off I went from Phoenix to Tempe to get a trailer from my Dad then home to Queen Creek to pick up the wife and kids, and then to Gilbert to pick up the cash from my brother. That is 50 miles one way. When all is said and done we easily put 150 miles on my Mini Cooper to buy a scooter locally. The Phoenix valley is very spread out. We eventually got to Scottsdale that evening. First thing to know is buying a scooter at night is different the the day. The night will hide many imperfections. I still will buy at night because I still feel first to buy is better than waiting till morning and chance it to be gone. I forgot my flashlight but the seller quickly gave me his.  My first thoughts were it was a bit rougher in person. 

With only one craigslist picture I really had no idea what to expect. Both sides of the floor boards had been bent, both legshields, the battery cowl also had a dent. The engine cowl was near perfect minus surface rust on the bike. The story he told me is that he bought the scooter in 1987 from a older gentleman who had two of them in the back of the truck. He and his friend offered him the money and bought both bikes. He said they were both GS cushman but this one was the nicest of the two. It was in original condition but later the seller painted the bike this green color. Its not a bad color but has many flaws in the paint job. Obviously I wish it was in original condition but most of the bike was there. 

Mission items were the taillight, air filter cover, air bellow, original battery, and some floor rail bits. I had a decade with P-series scooters and my first bike was 1974 Vespa 90. The engine kicked over very nice and had strong compression. He never registered the scooter and had the original CA title. There will be more about my titling process.  I was ready to move to the 60's and with a GS. I suck at negations and looking back I wish I could of offered a little less but I paid the $2000 and was on my way. Looking back you really need to leave your emotions behind. You'll make poor decisions this way. I don't regret this purchase but something inside always wonders if I could of gotten a better deal. Also I knew you will always put more into a scooter than you will get back. I estimate a complete restoration could cost $2500 to $4000 on top of my purchase price. Driving home with my wife and two boys looking in the back window of my mini cooper looked pretty awesome to see the GS classic looking back at me. 

This speedo is ready to goto SpeedoKing as soon as I get my title.