Branch Number 191 of the Vespa Club of Britain           

Luton Vespa Club

I believe the club was started in 1957, number 136. By 1960 the club met on Monday evenings in an upper room in Dunstable Road Luton.  The premises were owned by the local Polio Fellowship and were provided rent free on the basis that the club gave manpower each year to run the tote at the  Donkey Derby. In 1963 the Thames Valley VC display team provided entertainment at this event.  In 1960 the club had around 15 members, this expanded to approx. 40 at it's peak in 1965.  In the winter Monday evenings were usually spent playing billiards, darts,  table tennis, discussion on Vespa related topics, films etc. In the summer, evening runs were popular. There was generally an adjournment to the 'Fox' PH before being homeward bound. Friendly rivalry existed with Luton Lambretta Club, to their credit they still exist today.

VCB events were regularly supported although there were always a nucleus of members who were more interested in the local activities. Often rallies being day events involved getting up early on a Sunday morning. The club attended the annual VCB Chiltern 100's road trial. Maidstone V.C. Annual Gymkhana, National rallies at New Brighton in 1963, Woburn Abbey 1964, Torbay Easter 1965, Nottingham 1965. Bromley International 1965. The club was also represented on the Scoot to Scotland in 1964. In 1964 the club organised it's own event which was a hill climb at Telegraph Hill nr. Lilley. The club acquired an old Vespa Clubman which was stripped and cut down to use as a scrambler.  This was entered in various local meets but was no match for the Lambretta's which were so much more suited to that kind of use.  In 1962 and in 1965 the club organised trips to Italy. In 1965, the trip included 3 members from Chelmsford VC. In all there were 8 bikes, carrying 13 people who rode a round trip to Italy over 2 weeks.

Knowledge of the club after 1966 is scant. I believe numbers dwindled and eventually the club closed around 1967/8. Some surviving members were welcomed into the Luton Lambretta Club.

Cinema promotion shoot 1960

Maidstone VC rally 1965

Torbay Easter 1965

Luton VC Hill Climb 1964

(Extract from Vespa News October 1965) The art of climbing a hill, such as the one that Luton VC provided for their Hill Climb on 11th July, does not rest entirely with the speed of the mount but with the individual skill of the rider. Add a few light showers and a number of Castrol bollards and you have an enjoyable day! With an entry of 63 machines the climbing got off to a smart start at 11.30. Standard machines divided into four classes were given a straight run up the hill-except for those bollards. Looking at the hill from the start I must admit it didn't seem very steep. It was only when you got halfway up and the revs began to drop that you realised how wrong you were. Despite the fact that the track was a little longer this year, Mike Kemp, riding for the Sports Club equalled the fastest time for standard machines put up last year by B West of Luton Lambretta Club. The specials used a rougher track which led to slower times. It included  a bank of earth and a pit to be crossed diagonally half way up the hill thus interrupting a clear run. Results were most commendable, with a number of the well known scrambles riders in evidence. Hill climbing is becoming popular with more and more scooterists and I can assure you that it is a most enjoyable day's sport. The thanks of the Luton Club go to everyone who supported this year's event and we look forward to seeing you all again on 12th June 1966, the next Luton VC hill climb.

Brussels 1965 (Tour to Italy)

(Extract from VCB News March 1965)Luton VC are going on a continental touring in July. They plan a 2000 mile trip through six countries and hope to visit the Vespa factory in Italy. Cost of the trip is expected to be £30 each.

(Extract from Vespa News October 1966) Peter Rose of Luton VC was one of the competitors in the Vespa Sports Club's National Sporting Trial at Pirbright in Surrey. He is shown making good progress through some of the woodland tracks.  (Picture poor quality)

(Extract from Vespa News June 1967) On Wednesday 19th April Luton branch welcomed the Lea Valley Club to a challenge evening of ten pin bowling at Luton's new Cesar's Bowl. In a very close match, Lea Valley were narrowly defeated by their hosts. Mike Kemp scoring a high game of 182. A return match has been arranged.