It seems incredible that unique and historical scooters in excellent condition could have survived to this day. And there are models that are witnesses of their time and that are perfectly preserved, such as this emblematic precursor prototype of the so-called Model 85 from the American brand Salsbury. This unit, which is a true rarity among Salsbury motorcycles, has its origins in 1945.
For many, the brand could be completely unknown, since in the post-war era (after World War II), the two-wheeled vehicles that became popular in cities around the world were those of the Italian company Vespa. However, the Americans had in their ranks a manufacturer with 100% American designs and production that had previously dedicated itself to manufacturing bomber aircraft, such as the wedge-shaped B2-Spirit Stealth.
Founded by the eccentric engineer E. Foster Salsbury in California in 1935, the scooter company gave rise to this model, which is a very special part of the manufacturer’s history, as it is the genesis of the iconic Model 85 and a perfect example of the style. of aeronautical inspiration from the North American scooters of the 1940s.
Pioneering airline pilot Amelia Earhart, known for being the first aviator to fly solo across the ocean, was an avid admirer of Salsbury’s scooters, using them to get around the runway and to other nearby locations. It is said that she had a great influence when creating this prototype.
Whether because it was a hit among airplane pilots or because of the manufacturer’s roots in the aviation sector, the prototype featured a green and red reflector at each end of the handlebar that was intended to resemble the lights of an aircraft.
With a length of 2.43 m and a huge trunk space, this model was designed to become a second two-wheeled vehicle for American families of the post-war era. It included previously unheard of options such as a futuristic variable speed transmission, which we would now identify as one of the precursors of modern CVT automatic units.
Its tiny four-stroke engine differed from those powered by the more popular two-stroke motorcycles and scooters prevalent at the time. This prototype was instrumental in the development cycle of the Model 85, which turned out to be the most commercially successful motor vehicle built by the brand before its bankruptcy in the early 1950s.
With all those hallmarks that make it a unique original prototype that has survived time and history, we can imagine that the value of this Salsbury is higher than many of the scooters that a nostalgic person in this sector could purchase. Today, it is valued at a market price close to 30,000 euros, a figure with which we could purchase a current car.
You can learn more details about this two-wheeled vehicle popularized by the first female aviator in history in the video that accompanies this article.