Category: Cars and Bikes

Piaggio has a new scooter model on the market, claiming the Vespa S is a direct descendent of its 50 Special and Primavera.

The idea, apparently, is to appeal to the Italian youth who may have heard tales of those older models from their parents – and indeed the fun they had riding them in the late 60s and early 70s.

Saying that, it does look not unlike a modern Vespa, with the addition of the rectangular headlight, trimmed-down mudguard and sporty rear light. There’s a choice of 50cc and 125cc and a variety of colour-schemes, each with its own accessories – with prices at 2,500 Euros for the 50cc and 3,200 for the 125cc.

Find out more at the Official Vespa website (translated from Italian)

Apparently Honda is going retro, reissuing its classic 1969 CB750 motorbike in virtually identical form to the original.

According to a report in Motorcycle News (not my regular read, I was tipped off), the company has enviously eyed the success of other retro bikes like the Triumph Bonneville and fancies a piece of the action. The only change is the engine – the old one wouldn’t pass emissions laws, so a new air-cooled engine is in development.

The first prototype should be shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. And if you can’t wait that long, check out the picture to the right, because if it is identical, that’s what it will look like.

Honda Motorcycles website

Schwinn certainly make some interesting bicycles, including a nice Chopper variation and indeed models that look incredibly close to the chopper-style motorbikes seen in Easy Rider. But right now, I’m loving the Schwinn Cruiser Deluxe 7 bicycle.

It’s very much the traditonal bike – with a twist. There’s the 18-inch frame size, 26-inch wheels, front and rear brakes plus seven-speed Shimano gears. But it’s also got the looks of a vintage motorbike, right down to the mini ‘petrol tank’ panel and built-in headlight.

Great for nipping round town and looking the part, you can pick one up for £399.

See more of the Schwinn range at the Tenby Cycles website

I can spot a retro-styled car a mile off, but a retro boat? Well, if there is such a thing, Sweden’s Strand Craft are the people that make them.

The company specialises in building boats that mix classic styling with modern technology, so you can go fast, but look the part when you come closer into shore. The look takes inspiration from the golden age of the French Riviera, with chrome, lacquered wood and leather finishing in abundance, not to mention vintage-styled dials and controls.

The boat pictured above is just one example – the Bellezza 21, designed by Bo Zolland. The price? Well, they’re not readily available due to the tailor-made nature of the things. But if your numbers on the Lotto have come up, you can get a quote via the website.

Find out more at the Strand Craft website

The updated Volkswagen Beetle never did much for me – similar shape, but without the character of the original. All that could change though, with news that Volkswagen are developing a new rear-engine VW Beetle-style car complete with retro looks.

Details are a bit sketchy right now, but the new cars are the brainchild of Ferdinand Piech, chairman of the Volkswagen board and grandson of original Beetle creator Ferdinand Porsche. There will be a choice of engines and a couple of different looks – the most interesting of which is being described as a retro hatchback, with echoes of the original Beetle (pictured here).

This new, smaller retro-styled car will be launched in the US first, then head to Europe. The US price is around $12,000 (£6,000) and is set to rival Fiat’s forthcoming 500.

More on this as soon as we get it.

Volkswagen website

Our previous favourite motorbike helmets were these Jo Jo Phillips lids. But they could be facing some competition from the new range of Nexx retro motorbike helmets.

The full range is a bit hit and miss, but we do like the Vision Vintage and the Vision Denim (both pictured above). The Vision Vintage, as the name suggests, has styling very much of the past, with chin strap, goggles and a rounded shape. It’s also available in an endless number of colour schemes. The Vision Denim keep a similar shape, but is covered in vintage denim. Ideal if you want to match up with your jeans.

Both are available now, retailing for between £70 and £100.

Find out more at the Nexx website