The1961 Heinkel Tourist 103 A1

Can not believe this Scooter was for sale

I came across a Heinkel Tourist on scoot.net and could not let the opportunity pass me by. It was even a local listing. Not even in the market or mid set to be buying another vintage scooter. Seeing the listing on Tuesday the 30 of November and by Thursday I was driving her home. 

I bought her from Devin Anderson, The prior owner was Jared Hooper. He found it locally and I don't know who he bought it from. Jared painted the scooter in 2005/2006 and he had Devin re-assemble it.

Before it was painted Silver and Black

I emailed Devin to ask if it was still available, Thinking there was no way this scooter would be. To my great surprise it was. This was his reply: 

"Hey Mike , yes the Heinkel is available. I have had quite a few people interested and also a lot of offers as well. I am having a hard time letting go of her. If you are wanting to come and check the Heinkel out that would be fine. I will be available tomorrow eve (Thurs). I get home around 5:00pm (ish). Just contact me and we can arrange a time . Thanks, Devin."

Being local was an advantage to both of us, no shipping and you get payment / the scooter the very same moment. Making an appointment for December 2nd at 5:45 pm the day went by slowly until the appointed hour, I drove to his home in Holladay (Shirley Lane). He was outside waiting for me to arrive. As I walked up to the carport with tarps enclosing it. I see why my earlier comment I made in an email made him smile and want to sell me his baby. "And if you do end up selling it to me it would be going to a nice loving home with a heated garage to boot." 

Devin greeted me with respect and kindness, we hit it off from the start. He showed me all around the scooter, pointing out the good and the blemishes. Wanting to be totally up front and honest. I was sold as soon as I saw her. But never the less wanted to hear all he had to say. We talked and looked the scooter over for about an hour. Upon finishing the tour he asked; so what do you think? My response was, I will buy her. He followed how do you want to proceed? That was when I pulled out an envelope from the bank filled with 20 one hundred dollars and said will this do? He looked very surprised and a bit shocked. He handed me back the money and said let me go and get the title. He returned and started to fill out the section to sign it over, as he finished all that was left to do was sign it. He paused just for a moment, this was his baby, I could see it was hard to let her go.

The exchange was complete, he then asked how do you want to get her home? Easy I said; I have my cold riding gear in my car, I am riding her home tonight. Is it alright if I leave my car here and come and get it later? No problem, he then back out the scooter and warmer her up by taking one last ride down the street and back. While I got dressed for the very cold ride home.

Last bit of advice he added, second gear is not very easy to get into, you will see what I mean. It takes a bit of finesse, but you will get use to it. I then saddled up Greta and started off across Wasatch Blvd heading for home.

Harriet the ET3 Primavera

Starting on a new project for my wife, She agreeing to learn to ride a shifting vintage scooter, we bought her a 1979 ET3 Primavera out of Long Beach CA. 

First picture of Harriet

Finding the Vespa on Tuesday August 24 on Scoot.net. After talking with Bo Anderson we agreed on the price and that Friday, Braden my son and I headed out for the long drive from Salt Lake City, Utah. We started at 8pm and drove straight through until the morning, taking turns sleeping every 4 hours. Checking into Facebook along the way to show our location to those at home following our journey. Arriving at 5 am, before the set meeting time of noon. We drove to the nearest Home Depot and crashed for 3 hours in their parking lot, awaking to a bustling noise which turn out to be a work for hire pick up location. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I got up and went into the store to buy some tie down straps that I had forgot the night before. Then it was off to find a local beach restaurant to get breakfast. Upon finding a suitable spot I woke up Braden and we had a most excellent breakfast.

A mean surfers breakfast

At noon we had to wake up Bo, having been up most of the night before, at a friends Mexican wedding he was not too with it, finally getting the scooter started I took it for a test drive. It ran a little rough but was a great little small frame for Angie's first scooter.

The frame seemed to be bent, I called Josh the scooter guru back home, we figured the sum of the parts he had installed on the scooter it would still be a good buy.

Stopping to make sure the scooter was not shifting

Then the fun began, Bo in his drunken stupor could not find the title. He looked for over an hour, not wanting to buy the scooter without it we ended up following him to AAA. (In California they can do almost the same things as the DMV.) 

Bo Anderson waiting for our turn at AAA (DMV services)

Proving that he was the rightful owner, nevertheless to obtain a new title would take 2 + weeks. Paying Bo a 100 dollars less then the agreed price to insure he would send the for mentioned title and getting a letter of intent from the AAA we were finally on our way.