Sometimes a build starts with a vague idea and ends up as a happy accident. But not this one. For David from the Zennteifel Rollerclub in Langenzenn, Germany, every nut, bolt, and 3D printed line of his 1982 Vespa PX80 was mapped out long before a single wrench was turned. Four years of work, no compromises, and zero shortcuts later, the result is this mini masterpiece called ‘Mazda 787B’. A scooter inspired by a Le Mans legend, that’s as much an engineering statement as it is a visual tribute.
David’s inspiration came from Mazda’s 1991 Le Mans winner, the rotary-powered 787B, the first Japanese car to win the race outright, and the last with a Wankel engine; its sound alone is pornographic. “I liked that they were the underdogs,” he says. “Nobody expected them to win, and then they did.” It’s why this Vespa doesn’t wear the usual Martini or Gulf stripes. Instead, it’s a faithful nod to the orange-and-green 787B, right down to the recreated ’91 scrutineering sticker and a subtle rotary logo engraved on the fan hub.
Under that livery is some serious hardware; it might not be a rotary, but this carbon-covered two-stroke still absolutely screams. The original PX80 block is long gone, replaced with an alloy Cosa engine fitted with a Malossi 221 MHR top end. This would be enough for most, but David went on to make the new piston himself and then custom-engineered a water-cooled head. The expansion chamber is a DSE prototype, modified by David, who made the end can with a rotary end cap and even the screws in the muffler are internal, just so nothing breaks the silhouette.
The chassis is just as trick. A Lambretta fork sits up front with twin dampers, sporting plenty of machined clamps with anodised finishes for a smooth look. The braking package is as serious as a heart attack, a massive Casa Performance front disc features a four-piston caliper, and on the other side of the custom-made, multi-piece wheels is a custom wheel cover inspired by the original 787B. At the back end, there is a single YSS shock, with a custom lower leg, and the billet brake pedal uses a ZX6R master cylinder to send power to the rear disc.
The cockpit is a nod to endurance racing minimalism. A full Motogadget dash sits inside a 3D-printed housing, flanked by toggle switches with period-correct label-maker markings for “Start,” “Kill,” and “Fuel.” Each switch on the bars lights up in a different colour thanks to integrated LEDs, function meeting theatre. The handlebar covers are reshaped to create a reveal for the master cylinder, the grips are Rizoma, the throttle Domino, and everything feels deliberate, tactile, and built to endure.
Aesthetically, it’s a showstopper, and it’s not just the perfect recreation of that legendary livery that makes it so special. The front fender is a clever two-part piece, with the forward section coming from a CBR1000. The front scoop, 3D-printed and then glassed in, carries a red tow hook just like the race car. And those stunning rear fenders, open forward and out on custom struts, not only to provide excellent access to the engine, but also to ensure the painted surfaces don’t rub. The twin taillights are then recessed and rounded to follow the Vespa’s curves, a deliberate contrast to the boxy rectangles of the real Mazda’s rear end.
There is endless form to match the function, and where the two combine, you get the best bits. Cooling, for example, comes via a hidden radiator protected by a custom lower scoop, meshed off and neatly integrated into the bodywork. Then there’s the glove box, the lid is hand-made steel, and the soft open/close strut was taken from David’s Daihatsu. On the inside, you’ll find a host of practical components like the fluid reservoirs and the expansion tank for the radiator, as well as a neat slot for extra oil.
There is a full electronic ignition package, and all of the electronics are controlled by a Motogadget m.unit with keyless ignition and Bluetooth. Back to the finishing touches, and David logged into Gran Turismo to download the race sticker package, before re-making them high-res in Photoshop for printing. It just looks incredible! Practicality? Let’s just say David isn’t pretending it’s a commuter.
“It’s like sitting on the toilet holding a newspaper,” he laughs. But usability wasn’t the point. This is a concept brought to life, a fully operational, mechanical love letter to motorsport and rotary madness. That said, it’s been ridden over 200km in a day, and packing 30hp at the back tyre, this Vespa PX really does roar and rumble, just like the original 787B.
[ Dave van Speedson | Photography by Dominik Benke ]