Mick’s Series 3

My 16th birthday (July 5, 1967) was the date I could have my own transport and legally ride my first scooter, a 1965 Vespa Sportique Supreme.

The Supreme had chrome bubbles and front mudguard – I loved it. It had been purchased previously via Exchange and Mart and I’d fiddled with it in my parents’ back garden and ploughed up the lawn somewhat. I’d been saving for it since starting my plumbing apprenticeship after leaving school aged 15 (not easy on my wages of £3 10/- per week, plus an extra 7s 6d if I worked Saturday morning).

But today was the day, so around 7am I fired up the scooter and set off for work. In order to purchase it I’d borrowed money from my mum and if I agreed to wear a crash helmet when riding, I wouldn’t have to pay it back. I’d readily agreed, riding off then stopping around the corner to remove it, attaching it to the scooter as I was never going to wear one. My mum informed me years later