Search results for ""Author Mark Paxton""

The two stroke Vespa is rightly regarded as an iconic scooter. Its initial purpose was to provide low cost transportation to the masses in the 1950s, but it evolved through the vibrant '60s to became a symbol of the burgeoning youth culture, and on into the '90s when it became firmly entrenched as an Italian icon. The history of this phenomenon has been well documented, as has the subculture that surrounds it, but there has been no previous attempt to provide a guide to buying one of these classic scooters. This book will help ensure that you avoid the main pitfalls and end up with your very own slice of La Dolce Vita on the driveway. This Essential Buyer's Guide is packed with good advice from running costs, paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Vespa community, right through to whether your scooter will fit in with your lifestyle. This is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Vespa of your dreams.

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This book investigates the reality of renovating a Smallframe Vespa in detail, outlining the techniques to fully restore a complete wreck to factory fresh. The restoration is carried out by the author in his own workshop, and all stages of the process are covered. From frame welding and panel repair, to paint and trim, every process is clearly described and backed up by over 600 full colour photographs. Special tools, advice on their use, and even possible home-made substitutes are covered, along with advice on spare parts - no Smallframe Vespa owner should be without a copy.

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The Mini is without doubt a motoring milestone and has had many volumes dedicated to its design, history and development but this is the only book to examine the tricky task of buying one used. Iconic and innovative it may have been but this quintessentially British car was not without its defects, many of which could turn the Mini experience into an expensive and tiresome disaster. This guide takes the potential purchaser through a short initial examination to weed out the obviously defective followed by a more comprehensive step-by-step look at the body and mechanical parts, where the clear, jargon free text accompanied by over 100 photographs sheds light on even the darkest corners of the Mini's construction. A unique points marking system ensures that nothing is overlooked and an accurate final picture of the car's condition can be viewed in relation to the asking price.

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2-stroke Vespa is a style icon - an undoubted classic, and an immediately recognised symbol of its native Italy. Demand for these stylish scooters is booming, and interest in restoring and renovating them is at an all-time high.With its clear and concise text aided by extensively captioned full colour photographs, this practical book guides the DIY enthusiast through all the stages of restoring a classic largeframe 2-stroke Vespa, taking it from a rusty, unroadworthy wreck back to its factory fresh, former glory. It shows how to assess wear in all mechanical components, then assists in deciding the best and most cost effective method to renovate or repair. The largeframe engines are covered in detail, giving the reader confidence to carry out their own repairs to a high standard - both satisfying and cost effective. Brakes, suspension, electrical systems and brightwork are all addressed, from changing a bulb to welding in a new floor pan. Altogether an essential referenc

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