Lot 163: 1956 Puch 123cc RL 125 Scooter

If we closely examine this high mileage example [showing over 53,000 kms on the speedometer] it is immediately apparent why every British manufacturer who tried to crack the scooter market inevitably failed. While Italians, Germans, and Austrians, designed from a clean sheet, the majority of scooters ex Birmingham or Coventry too often attempted to use an adaptation of existing motorcycle components �beneath the skin�, or were simply unable [as with Beagle, Dandy, Pixie et al] to produce the requisite parts in an acceptable quality. Despite its hard use the somewhat battered RL 125 still appears fundamentally sound, especially after the replacement of its bolt-on items, plus some energetic attention with oilcan and fresh paint! The metallic blue Puch scooter was purchased by the Museum in 1981, and offered with a miscellany of Austrian paperwork.