You were so lucky to see one of those leahman, it was a very rare genuine Vespa made for the American market
. Yep, you're very lucky.
It was named "Vespa Allstate Crusaire and was a little different from the model of those years sold in Italy, for example, no front shock absorber
Here is
And this is the page of the italian site that talks about it :
http://www.vespaforever.net/lo.htm
it is at the middle of the page, here is the quick translation of the text:
"
It exists, but it's very rare, a Vespa branded "All State"
In November 1951 begin the adventure of the Vespa in the United States. On November the 14th the (italian) press agency ANSA announce the agreement between Piaggio and Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Genova (Italy) by which the american colossus of distribution would sell in the USA the scooter that made move again Europe in the post war period. The first stock of 1000 Vespa sailed on december 1951. The model that went to conquer the USA was the 125cc, rebabtized "Vespa Allstate Crusaire" and modified in some things for the requests of the american market: the Lamp "climbs" from the mudguard to the handlebars. It costs 325,95 dollars.
It's a serie that was sold in the USA from 1961 to 1966 by catalog from "Sears & Robuk Co", very similar to the classic versions, it lacked the shock absorber in the front suspension, like the "cheap" 125 U
About the shield and the shape of the Vespa, it's made that way in order for the driver not to dirt with the oil of the engine that was (and still is) totally covered over the rear wheels and the shield offered protection against wind and rain (so girls don't dirt the clothes when they ride with you
) . Vespa and sccoters in general and not exactly safe to ride in the rain, you have to "know it" very well, the "gravity center" first of all . If you ride it like a normal bike you ass will kiss the asphalt soon. It's a mass production scooter for poor people, an Indian or a HD is out of financial reach for the owner of a Vespa of that period (In Italy we had obvioulsy other brands of big bikes, like Ducati, Guzzi, Gilera etc.).
BTW, if you find one of those rarity you have a treasure in your hands, you can sold it in Italy for a pile of bucks...
P.S. And usually Vespe were not "all crome", only some particulars, usually they are entirelly painted, the most common color is White, the classics are grey or those kind of color (look at that site)
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I like to play with the Vespa 
!!
that was a genuine Vespa with another (american) brand, I'll search on the dedicated fora, but I know that it's very rare and one of those has a very high value ...
I can't wait to tell my Uncle he has a treasure
