Bought a what today? I said a Valmobile! :)

[grnlark 487]

Today I went on what I would now consider a great pick. Yeah, I know that makes me sound like Mike Wolfe, but thats really what it was. I drove over an hour away to go look at a '60 Suburban (which I also bought), and the guy showed me around his barns. He had by far the largest collection of pedal tractors I have ever seen in my life. But while I was getting dirty and climbing around one of the barns, this odd ball metal box with numbers on the side and an engine cylinder head in plain view sticking out caught my attention. He said he didn't know much about it other than that he bought it from an old guy who was an airline pilot and the guy claimed it was a cargo sized 49cc foldable motor bike. The numbers on the side corresponded to the aircraft tail number it belonged in. I was like....what? It turns out it is a Valmobile Suitcase Scooter. They were designed in France and produced in Japan during the 50's. They were marketed as a suitcase scooter that could be taken anywhere and/or stored anywhere. According to reading I have done, they became especially popular as emergency transportation in airplanes small boats etc. But they really didn't sell well and the main distribution company located in NJ shortly went bankrupt. Of course there seems to be several collector forums for these things and a pretty serious following. I haven't had much luck finding too much info on value, but I'm confident my gamble in buying it will not leave me at a loss if I decide to ever sell it. The guy claims it runs fine and being a 2 stroke he said it probably will fire right up with little effort.

Edited December 15, 2012 by grnlark

[AMC RULES 37,130]

Incredibly cool find Matt, perfect match for your two Bantams.

[SALTYWRIGHT 859]

I HAD ONE BACK IN THE 50. IT IS ALOT OF FUN, BUT YOU DON"T WANT TO GO FOR VERY LONG.

[Jake Kuhn 1,555]

Thats a very neat item! Can't wait to see pics of the 400 too! ~Jake

[Rollerman 290]

I bet it be pretty cool getting a tour of your garage Matt!

The scooter is a neat find & in great condition.

So...whats with the Willy's grill, wall decoration or do you have the rest of it?

[fireman 1,021]

Man you find the coolest stuff!

[grnlark 487]

Stephen, I bought the Willys front end at a swap meet a few months back. Just wall art that needs to be hung up.

Hey Jeff, notice the JD rims stacked up in one of the pics. I pulled them out. Lemme know if you're still interested.

[groundhog47 347]

Today I went on what I would now consider a great pick. Yeah, I know that makes me sound like Mike Wolfe, but thats really what it was. I drove over an hour away to go look at a '60 Suburban (which I also bought), and the guy showed me around his barns. He had by far the largest collection of pedal tractors I have ever seen in my life. But while I was getting dirty and climbing around one of the barns, this odd ball metal box with numbers on the side and an engine cylinder head in plain view sticking out caught my attention. He said he didn't know much about it other than that he bought it from an old guy who was an airline pilot and the guy claimed it was a cargo sized 49cc foldable motor bike. The numbers on the side corresponded to the aircraft tail number it belonged in. I was like....what? It turns out it is a Valmobile Suitcase Scooter. They were designed in France and produced in Japan during the 50's. They were marketed as a suitcase scooter that could be taken anywhere and/or stored anywhere. According to reading I have done, they became especially popular as emergency transportation in airplanes small boats etc. But they really didn't sell well and the main distribution company located in NJ shortly went bankrupt. Of course there seems to be several collector forums for these things and a pretty serious following. I haven't had much luck finding too much info on value, but I'm confident my gamble in buying it will not leave me at a loss if I decide to ever sell it. The guy claims it runs fine and being a 2 stroke he said it probably will fire right up with little effort.

Now, ain't that neat, transfomer fo real :auto-biker:

[dclarke 4,032]

Man you find the coolest stuff!

Thanks for the pics Matt, I've never heard of one of these.

[Coadster32 793]

One heck of a collection you have going on there Matt. :handgestures-thumbupright:

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

Issues for sure.... :ychain:

[Wheelhorse84 87]

That's awesome.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

That is a very neat motor bike...Is it an automatic, or shift?

I too saw a lot of interesting items in your garage!

[VinsRJ 721]

Trust me there is nothing to see in that garage... its all junk... maybe except for the Bantam, Struck, RJ, Cub, Gemco, ect... :kbutt:

[wallfish 17,000]

That thing is COOL. Very nice find

What do you estimate the weight of the entire thing is?

[grnlark 487]

That thing is COOL. Very nice find

What do you estimate the weight of the entire thing is?

According to the documentation I've found it's 75 pounds

[Ken B 3,164]

That is wicked cool. I think when you decide too part ways with it some collector is gonna dig real deep to have that in his collection.

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

That was much too cool to pass up. Congragulations on your new toy!

[wallfish 17,000]

Does that ring which holds the forks from folding lock in position or does it just wedge tight? or threaded?

It also appears to be a 2 seater with 2 sets of foot pegs. One large pot hole and that thing may fold up quicker than the French army.

Do you know the engine manufacturer?

I just can't stop going back to look at this thing over and over, it's so interesting.

[perry 82]

nice find, you always seem to find the odd balls :)

[decksetter 50]

That thing is seriously cool! Great find!

[chesbaycruiser 83]

That is just TOO cool!!!

[Bubs 0]

Cool piece man.i have one also but baby blue even has rear view mirror with valmobile inscribed on the back.used to ride it when I was a kid. It has a 2 speed tranny and it still runs good.i rode it around my shop last summer just to see.would be interested in value if you have any idea or just want to talk about it would be cool to.

[Bubs 0]

I have pics of mine if you would like to see them let me know.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

Bubs... and :wwp: