Meet "Jack" John R. Willard

Classic Vintage Vespas
Two Stroke Royalty
Interview with Jack Willard

From sunny California, Jack Willard is a well-known name in the classic scooter scene. Mention his name at a rally or vintage meet-up, and chances are someone has a story. When we set out to find our very first feature for Two-Stroke Royalty, Jack's name came up again and again. The response was overwhelming, and unanimous: Jack had to be first. We couldn’t have agreed more.

Q: Jack, tell us about where your journey started. What was your first connection to scooters?
Jack Willard:
I grew up in a tiny village of about 500 people in southeastern Appalachian Ohio. It was a rural kind of place — lots of hills, long roads, and not much between towns. As a kid, we were always on something motorized — mini bikes, off-road motorcycles — whatever we could get our hands on.

One summer day in 1978, I was pedaling my bicycle up one of those endless hills, far from anything. I happened to glance down and spotted something lying next to the road. I stopped and picked it up. It was an owner’s manual for a Vespa 50 smallframe.

Q: That’s a pretty unusual discovery — especially if you'd never seen one before.
Jack:
Exactly. I had never even seen a Vespa at that point. But flipping through that manual, something clicked. The style, the engineering — it had a real charm. From that moment on, I was hooked. I started noticing Vespas in old movies, in ads. I knew I had to have one someday.

Q: When did that dream finally become real?
Jack:
In 1982, after my family moved to California. I was just 16 years old when I bought my first scooter — a brand-new Vespa P200E, straight out of the crate. I paid $1,045, bought it from ScooterVille in Anaheim, back when it was on Lincoln Blvd.

Q: That P200E must hold a lot of memories.

Jack:
Absolutely. My MOD friends and I used to tour the U.S. on our scooters — riding two-up, just the open road and good music.

One of my most memorable rides was in 1986, when I rode that P200E with my girlfriend on the back from Claremont, California to the World’s Fair in British Columbia, and back again. I still live in Claremont today.

Q: Over the years, you’ve owned quite a few scooters. What’s your collection like now?

Jack:
I've owned over 60 scooters — a mix of classic Vespas and Lambrettas. Recently, I decided to scale back and sold off most of the collection. These days, I’m happy keeping just three:

• 1963 Vespa GS160 — my show scooter, which I restored myself back in 1986.

• Malossi-tuned Vespa GTS300 — a fast, modern workhorse.

• MOD-style Royal Alloy GT150 — my daily rider.

  
  

It feels good to have just the essentials now.

Q: Thank you, Jack — you're an inspiration to so many of us in the classic scooter community. Before we wrap up, anything else you’d like to say?"

Jack Willard:
Just this — MODS R GO!!!

Parting Words on Jack Willard:

We had a great time catching up with Jack — a true original in the classic scooter world. Some might ask: is Jack changing with the times? After all, two of his current scooters are modern-generation machines.
But if you know Jack, you know the answer: he’s adapted, not abandoned.
After 40 years and more than 60 classic scooters, he’s found a way to embrace the present without letting go of tradition. Just look at his Royal Alloy — decked out with whitewall tires, crash bars, and no less than ten mirrors. It’s as much a nod to the past as it is a ride of the future.
And when it comes to vintage prestige, you'd be hard-pressed to find a nicer Vespa GS — in the U.S. or Europe. The detail, the history, and the soul behind it are unmistakable.
We wouldn't be surprised if Jack has more surprises in store for us down the road. Until then, we’re more than happy to sit back and enjoy the collection of a man who lives and breathes scooter culture.

At Classic Vintage Vespas, we are proud to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding dedication to the preservation, restoration, and riding of classic scooters. Each quarter, we select one exceptional scooterist to receive the title of Two-Stroke Royalty — a distinction reserved for those who represent the very best of our community and culture.

If you know someone who has made a significant contribution to the classic scooter scene — whether through restoration work, long-standing involvement, community leadership, or simply an inspiring personal journey — we invite you to submit a nomination.

Please email us at ciao@classicvintagevespas.com