Friday, June 10, 2011

Vespa Siluro - 1951


In 1951, Vespa set off to challenge the most prestigious of speed trial: that of the standing kilometre.

On the 9th of February, between the 10th and the 11th kilometre on the Rome-Ostia motorway, a Vespa with two horizontally opposed pistons (17.2 H.P. - 9500 rpm) designed by Corradino D’Ascanio and driven by the test-driver Dino Mazzoncini, beat all standing kilometre records with a time of 21.4 seconds and an average speed of 171.1 km/h.

The engine’s two drive-shaft were connected by cogs and each cylinder was served by a separate carburettor, outflow controlled by the piston on the magneto side.  Liquid cooled with radiator on the left side.



TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Two-stroke single cylinder engine with opposed pistons

Power: 17.2 bhp at 9,500 revs

Bore: 42mm - Stroke: 45 mm - Displacement: 124.5 cc

Four-speed gear box

Tyres. 3.00-10" (built specifically by Pirelli for the trials)

Suspension: helicoidal spring at the front and shock absorber with callipers; rear with rubber pad and shock absorber with callipers




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