First bitten by the scooter bug at 18, it wasn’t until 2023 – 38 years later – that Gwyn Thomas finally made the leap and bought his first scooter. We asked Stu Smith to find out more…
Stu: How did you get into scooters?
GT: I’ve always been interested in them, but I’ve never been able to buy one. I did try when I was about 18 years old and went to see one in a shop in my hometown of Newport. I think it was a PX125, which was painted in mother of pearl with a Simple Minds theme, had a Yankee seat and all the chrome. However, in those days you had to get your parents to sign, and my dad said ‘no’ so that was the end of that!”
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Stu: Over the years your scooter dream’s always been idling in the background. What kept you inspired and motivated?
GT: When I was growing up in Ringland there was a family in my street (who still live there) who always had Lambrettas and racing scooters whizzing up and down. There was also Taffspeed nearby which meant there’s always been a large scooter scene in Newport. I’ve been getting Scootering magazine for about 30 years and that also helped keep me interested.
“I’ve fabricated air vents into the carb side panel and frame below the seat. It’s also got a custom horn grille, front mudguard crest, twisted chrome stand and rear carrier with an old-school style two-stroke oil can.”
Stu: Tell me about this scooter.
GT: It’s my first scooter and it’s taken me until the age of 56 to finally get one! I saw it online, it’s a Vespa PX125 street racer with fabulous 80s-style paintwork and it’s named after the song by The Cortinas, Not Nineteen Forever. When I saw it, it looked great, so I bought it and other than the paint it was pretty much standard.
Stu: Since you got it what features have you added and what’s the engine spec now?
GT: I’ve fabricated air vents into the carb side panel and frame below the seat, it’s also got a custom horn grille, front mudguard crest, twisted chrome stand and rear carrier with an old-school style two-stroke oil can. The seat it came with didn’t look right so I got a new one and reupholstered it myself. I think it makes the scooter look more streamlined and lifts the street-racer look. The front suspension’s also been upgraded, and in respect of the engine it now runs on a BGM 177 kit, a Polini carb with a café racer air filter and a SIP RZ racing exhaust.
Stu: What was the most challenging part of the project and what features are you particularly pleased with?
GT: After I’d got the scooter I discovered that it had a few issues and out of all of them, and you’re not going to believe this, the most challenging part was getting the root cause of why the speedo worm drive kept stripping!
By trade I’m a fabricator/welder, so in terms of the features I’m particularly pleased with, it has to be the stainless steel junction box, half circular coil cover, oval rear light aluminium backing plate and footboard centre piece, all of which I made.
Stu: Which part of the build gave you the most satisfaction?
GT: That’s a difficult one, because every time I’ve added or completed something, I always think that I’ve got to the end, but I then think of something else that I want to do or add to it, so it just keeps on going!
Stu: What’s it like to ride?
GT: It’s a bit tricky round town as it needs to be in the rev range, but when it’s on the open road it really shifts. It’s got a strong power-band and that’s down to the RZ racing exhaust which also gives a crisp and sharp sound.
Stu says:
When Gwyn first saw this scooter it was love at first sight; a sleek, eye-catching machine with bags of character but it came with some challenges. However, undeterred, he rolled up his sleeves, got stuck in and began transforming it into the scooter which is now truly his own. As a result, it’s a head-turning machine that’s as much about passion as it is about polish. You could say it’s more than a scooter; it’s a symbol of a long-term connection finally realised.
Words and images: Stu Smith
Article originally appeared in Scootering Magazine September 2025 issue. To subscribe and grab some Meguiars cleaning freebies visit https://classicmagazines.co.uk/scootering?offer=SCOME2026
