The Who

Engine No. 212011, the Piaggio 1964 Vespa GS Scooter, manufactured in Italy, 150cc p-range engine, all chrome, grips, seat original from the 'Quadrophenia' tour, Continental tires with spare tire to the rear, windshield with stickers reading ‘Vespa / VCB 160’, the body with stickers reading ‘GS’, adorned with three headlights to the front, three spotlights, and ten wing mirrors, checkerboard rear guard beneath ‘THE WHO’ decorative plate.

Comprehensively restored by South Coast Customs UK in 2023 at the request of the family of Roger Daltrey, including stripping of rust, respraying of the bodywork to original white finish, and the engine rebuilt using all original vintage 1960s bgm parts, 18hp. With modern 12v conversion with custom wiring loom according to South Coast Customs UK.

Used on-stage during The Who’s 1996-97 ‘Quadrophenia’ UK and North America Tour. The scooter would appear for live performances of ‘Bell Boy’, ridden by Billy Idol in the role of ‘Ace Face’. Following restoration, ridden in convoy to the Royal Albert Hall and displayed ahead of the Teenage Cancer Trust gigs in March 2023. Additionally photographed with ‘Quadrophenia’ star Phil Daniels at Brighton’s Quadrophenia Alley, and displayed for fundraising across numerous dates on The Who’s ‘The Who Hits Back!’ UK Tour in Summer 2023.

Please note that the present Lot is offered for sale as a collectible and not as a means of transport, sold as seen without M.O.T.

Dimensions

48in (122cm) high; 67in (170cm) long; 43 1/3in (110cm) wide overall

Provenance

The collection of The Who (Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend) by 1996.

Used as part of the 'Quadrophenia' Tour, 1996-1997.

Stored at Roger Daltrey's garage since the above tour.

Restored and exhibited as part of the 'The Who Hits Back!' Tour, 2023.

Generously donated to support Teenage Cancer Trust.

Image Captions

Image kindly supplied by The Who for Teenage Cancer Trust. The present Lot in Brighton, 2023.

Image kindly supplied by The Who for Teenage Cancer Trust. The present Lot on-stage during the ‘Quadrophenia’ tour, ridden by Billy Idol as “Ace Face”, 1996/7.

Image kindly supplied by The Who for Teenage Cancer Trust. Phil Daniels (star of the 1979 film ‘Quadrophenia’) with the present Lot, 2023.

Image kindly supplied by The Who for Teenage Cancer Trust. The present Lot on display, 2023.

The Consignor (Teenage Cancer Trust) is donating 100% of the hammer price from the sale of this Lot, to be sold in Sotheby’s Popular Culture online sale held from 29 August – 12 September 2024.