Paul Diamond: all about the world of classic scooter auctions

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This month there are plenty of treats in store as Big Chris departs from his usual format of looking at a classic scooter to profile one of the country’s leading classic scooter auctions.

Paul outside the November 2023 auction. This SS90 made £33,350.

Words: Big Chris Images: Paul Diamond/H&H

Many of us may know the name of Paul Diamond, and even know or count this character of the classic scooter world as a friend. He proudly enjoys dressing up in period attire to match whatever classic vehicle he has decided to use on any given day, and could be ranked high on the scale of British eccentricity, if such a thing was to exist. We need folk like this on the scene, as it keeps things interesting.

For those of you who don’t recognise the name and can’t recall seeing such a person at scootering events, then unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, be aware of some scooters sold by a classic vehicle auction house that have commanded a hefty winning bid. These usually get plastered all over social media, giving keyboard warriors another day’s fodder; that is, until their expertise is required upon another subject within their area of excellence.

Well, the chances are Mr Diamond was behind one of those sales, at least in some way.

The Gori racer, which went back home to Italy.

Mr D

Paul Diamond, now 60 years young, was like so many of us of this particular generation, a Mod of the revival years, and got into the scene when he was 14 years old. His first scooter was an Li150 Series 2 and he has been in and out of love with classic scooters ever since. Paul used to live in our capital and was even a scooter courier on his Vespa for a while. This involved tackling London’s streets in all weathers, dicing with death on a daily basis, until he had one fall too many and decided to quit while he was ahead. In 1999 he relocated to the South West after selling up in London and moved to North Devon. He’s always been a busy man and has had several businesses over the years, including a paintball company.

One of Paul’s passions is scooter accessories. This was a big hobby which has almost turned into an obsession as he states that he probably has one of the largest collections of original accessory catalogues in existence. With such a resource at his fingertips, and the years of collecting under his belt, this also became a business.

Obviously, the adornments that he collected over those years look at their very best when fitted to the correct scooter, and as such Paul was always on the lookout for the right machine to come along so he could fit the very best trinkets to it. As Paul states, he is a solid Vespa and Lambretta man, with a great understanding of both marques. He wanted to turn his passion into a business and make it viable venture, but was not really situated too well to get any major footfall for a static business. It was around this time that he found out about a Vespa Douglas Rod type that was to be in an auction at the British Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. This was in December 2021 and the auction company was called H&H. Paul attended the sale but explained that he was very disappointed with the lack of knowledge the auctioneer had about the scooters he was selling, so much so that he felt compelled to tell the auction house about it.

We hear what you say!

Rather surprisingly, they didn’t tell him to sling his hook, but listened to what Paul had to say. That’s when it hit him; with his knowledge, contacts, experience and most of all his passion for the subject, he could become the perfect scooter specialist for such activities, thereby being able to make a living from his great interest. He hatched a plan and contacted several classic vehicle auction companies, eventually being offered a role with H&H. He’s very keen to point out that apart from a lack of knowledge regarding classic scooters, H&H was on the ball with its other sales and everyone involved with the company is passionate about what they do.

Since that time Paul hasn’t had time to catch his breath. He says he is up and down the country chasing up leads, collecting scooters and meeting the owners. On many occasions he finds them parting with something that has been part of the family for years and is a cherished possession that, for whatever reason, they’re no longer able to keep hold of.

Paul says along with sourcing machines for H&H to offer for sale at auction, many of which have achieved record sale prices, he also enjoys helping people out. The service he provides takes all the hassle and risk away from the sale of what may be a very rare machine by finding the machine’s true value. It also protects the owners, many of whom have the potential to fall victim to unscrupulous buyers. This service includes full collection and storage of the machine, the research, promotion and marketing of the machine, then the actual auction, where hopefully it does well for the seller. Paul states that this is one of the reasons that he was keen to offer his services to H&H, as the company has the infrastructure to offer its stock of machines to the global market in a professional and discreet manner, always offering a high level of service to both the buyer and seller.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

I asked Paul what his predictions were regarding the classic scooter market and if and when he imagined it would peak. He informed me that he had no magic looking-glass or crystal ball so couldn’t and wouldn’t even try to predict that. Like many of us, he’s still amazed at the amount of interest in desirable models.

What he did very kindly tell me was that the ‘right’ models will always be sought after. You can probably guess the ones he means; for Lambretta the TV, GP Electronics and SX. For Vespa this would include Rod models, the 98, GS and SS.

Any scooter that has a fantastic background story, such as machines once owned by someone famous, or used in the film world, such as in Quadrophenia, will also be in demand. As if by magic, Paul informed me that he’d recently prepared the information and images for the auction of the Lambretta that was ridden, and crashed, by Phil Davis, the actor who played Chalky in Quadrophenia. I for one will be watching with great interest how that does.

Continuing with his tips for reaching a top price, Paul explained that true, original condition is always a deal clincher. Even things such as points ignition and 6v electrics will always trump a machine in similar overall condition that’s had some invisible upgrades for practical reasons.

Interestingly, Paul also said that the strong money for Vespa is currently in Germany, whereas Lambretta still remains the most sought-after marque in the United Kingdom and Asia.

I did throw in the question that many of us are of a certain age and have less scootering time in front of us than we’ve already enjoyed, but Paul is confident that the market, for the right and correct models, will remain strong. However, he did concede that these classics will be enjoyed in a different way. Perhaps not being ridden but purchased as objects of desire for their pleasing, aesthetic qualities. Paul also adds that he has three children aged 34, 24 and 19. Although none of them are at all interested in scooters his grandson Leo, who is four, is already showing great signs of being a scooterist, so there’s still hope of a new generation filling at least some of our shoes.

For anyone who fancies a shot at working in the auction world, Paul will soon be putting his feet up a bit. Anyone interested in becoming involved should contact him through the usual routes.

It’s a sobering thought that we are only here for a look round and the sand in the hourglass of time seems to be running ever faster with the passing of each year. Rather than feeling depressed about the passing of time, I see that as more reason to get out there, riding the little wheels of our beloved machines before they end up beside an elephant’s foot umbrella stand and Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man in some wealthy eastern industrialist’s penthouse.

Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think!


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