Ray Butler discusses his first scooter purchase in 1981, his 1963 Douglas Vespa Sportique 150 known as ‘Nessie’, engine upgrades including a 177cc conversion kit, and his book Remembering The Chords. He also explains the artwork approach used for the double-album ‘But Then Again’.
First Scooter Purchase
Without even testing it out, I said, “I’ll have it!” I couldn’t believe it, because it was the same model of scooter as the one featured on the cover of the Mods Mayday ’79 album; it was like I’d struck gold!
Sc: Your first scooter… when did you get it, and how did you first become interested in them?
RB: When I was 17 in 1981, I went to Kennington Scooters asking if they had any scooters in my budget range of £60. The owner pointed to a sad-looking Vespa 150 Super in its original, but faded, pale blue paint. He said that he’d taken it in as a part-exchange; he hadn’t cleaned it, but it ran OK. Without even testing it out, I said, “I’ll have it!”Icouldn’t believe it, because it was the same model of scooter as the one featured on the cover of the Mods Mayday ’79 album; it was like I’d struck gold!
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Current Scooter: 1963 Douglas Vespa Sportique 150
Sc: Tell me about this current scooter…
RB: It’s a 1963 Douglas Vespa Sportique 150, which I purchased in September 2012, and, from my research, it looks like all the credit must go to Darrell McPhee (two owners back) for the transformation. There seems to have been a good penny spent on it over the years, although when I bought it, her ‘glory days’ were well and truly over. Grubby and dirty. No shine. Bits removed, bagged up, and the speedo hanging out. But she still looked very majestic. I’d say, stoic even.
The Name ‘Nessie’
Sc: Considering the style of your scooter, the name ‘Nessie’ is interesting. Tell me about that…
RB: That’s an easy one. It’s called ‘Nessie’ because it has the name ‘Vanessa’ on the side panel, which was on there whenIbought it and being green too, ‘Nessie’ seemed apt. The name conjures up ‘a playful, cartoon type character’, that is stoic and wise. ‘Nessie’ has been here for a long time, but she is seldom seen.
Riding Characteristics and Accessories
Sc: There are plenty of accessories on your scooter. What is it like to ride?
RB: Very smooth and you can’t beat its old-school sound, pop-popping amplified by the sports exhaust. All the accessories on the front mean that the front weight prevents any lift during a ‘fast’ pull away, and the width of the mirrors makes it difficult to manoeuvre between traffic. ‘Nessie’ isn’t built for speed or agility; a regal plod is the best she can muster these days.
Engine Upgrades and Handling
Sc: To compensate for the weight of the accessories, have you made any upgrades to the engine?
RB: Yes, it’s got a 177cc conversion kit and an aftermarket exhaust. The 8” wheels have been upgraded to 10” and, to help with handling, there’s a Carbone modified front damper, which makes it more stable.
Further Additions
Sc: Is there anything still to add to the scooter?
RB: It weighs a ton already, so it’s best not to add anything else to it!
Writing and Artwork: Remembering The Chords
Sc: As well as your Mod-style scooter, you’ve also writtenabook on the Mod-revival band, The Chords, and you completed the artwork on their recently released double-album, ‘But Then Again’. How did all of that come about?
RB: There was a book called ‘The Jam: I Was There’, which was asking for memories from fans and I’d submitted my recollections of seeing The Jam at a ‘secret’ venue, the recording of the BBC, ‘In Concert’ at the Hippodrome on 19th Dec 1981. I was pleased to have participated, but I thought how sad it was that The Chords, my other favourite band, were forgotten; there were no books on them and certainly nobody was asking for the memories of their fans.
Just before lockdown, I had an idea to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chords’ only album by collecting memories from their fans and making a book. I am a graphic designer and illustrator, so I could self-publish quite easily, which meant that I could send each member of the band a copy, as a sort of ‘Thank you’, you aren’t forgotten, and we remember you, hence the title ‘Remembering The Chords’.
Album Artwork: ‘But Then Again’
Sc: The style of artwork on the ‘But Then Again’ album cover is unusual. Why did you choose to develop the artwork in that way?
RB: Chris Pope and I are friends, and when he mentioned designing the album, I knew I wanted to create something different, something that stood out. The cover was never going to be a photograph of the Chords UK playing on stage.I was fascinated by Victorian illustrations and the laborious process of etching them, and I loved the caricatures of Charles Dickens. I imagined Dickens meets Roald Dahl. A Wordsworth and a songwriter, and the bringing together of two artistic cultures; Literacy&Rock ‘n’ Roll. Now, that should certainly stand out!
Stu Says
Ray’s story is stimulating, and it’s composed from a diverse and eclectic collection of a vast tapestry of Mod-influenced experiences. A lot is going on, and that’s represented through his scooter, his writing and artwork.
Words: Stu Smith
Photos: Lou Sutton Photography & Ray Butler
Media: Ray Butler
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