Vespa 400

1959 Vespa 400 Description

Here is my little red 1959 Vespa 400 mini-car, ready to find a new home. I would estimate this car to be 95 to 99% complete and ready for restoration. It has sat in the back of my (very dry) garage here in the Southwestern desert since I bought it in 1991, and I can see that I'm never going to get around to restoring it myself--I have too many other projects going. The car was running when I parked it, and I pickled the engine in oil so that its insides would remain oiled-up while it sat, and every so often I've also turned it over to keep it free. Recently I cleaned the engine up and started it up, but it only runs for a few moments at a time because gas is not getting through the carburetor, which may have a stuck float or plugged passage or some such ailment common to old carburetors. When I squirt a little gas into the spark plug holes, and then crank the engine, it starts up and runs for a short while, but that is all. Removing the carburetor to clean it out appears to be a chore in such tight quarters, so I didn't bother, and am selling as-is. I am making no guarantees as to the car's running condition. The status of the transmission, clutch, and other components are unknown. The car rolls around freely in neutral, so none of the brakes are stuck. The odometer shows 31,985 miles. The former owner told me that he was driving it around before he sold it to me, but he delivered it to me in the back of a pickup truck, and I never drove it myself, just put it straight into storage. I have a title for it from the previous owner that I never bothered to transfer to me. You can do the transfer yourself, and/or I will furnish you with a bill of sale.

Defects: There should possibly be a shroud around the steering column; if so it is missing. There must also have been a cover or boot of some sort on the pedestal between the seats, for the shift lever to stick through, which is no longer there, so at present it's just an open slot. The tail lights have no lenses. There is one area of the floor beneath the brake and clutch pedals that is rusted, but that's the way it came to me. This car has always been stored indoors, here in the dry climate of the high desert. All the glass is intact. There are no major dents in the body, just a bit of rippling on the right rear fender, and a some light surface rust here and there which will clean right off. The tires are as rotten as you would expect after all these years, and need replacing. Look at the photos, and if you have any questions, please ask. As I said, the little car was brought to me in the back of a pickup truck, and it could be taken away the same way by the buyer. Picking up the car, or arranging for its transport, is the responsibility of the buyer.