Back to the Future
Ken's Vespa returns after more than twenty years to the Luna Rossa base
20 years ago Patrizio Bertelli welcomed them personally at the base, promptly naming the scooter “Luna Rossa Mobile” and ensuring that it was part of the opening parade for the America’s Cup as it flowed across the downtown streets of Auckland.
“Everything started during a vacation in Italy – in Pitigliano actually- where we were guests of our friend Tazio Niccolai, owner of a Vespa shop” remembers Ken, age 65 and of Italian heritage from Salerno. “He showed me a Vespa sidecar model and it was love at first sight”.
Upon his return to New Zealand Ken buys a 1968 Vespa 150 Super, a 1950sidecar, also manufactured in Italy, and with the help of an engineer friend he assembles the prototype.
“Our Luna is 53 years old and has over 44.000 kms of mileage. We keep her safely protect ed in our garage but every now and then we like to take her out for a run in town.”