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Archive indexWe saw in an earlier magazine, that the 1962 VAP Spécial Monneret had a half-brother in the Testi Grand Prix, a machine unknown in France. At the 1964 Show, there was another descendant: the 5-speed Cazenave-VAP. The career of this machine was so modest that one begins to wonder if it ever went into production at all! In the two years intervening between the launch of these models, Cazenave had taken control of VAP and Paloma, putting its own name on the sports models of these two marques. We don't know a great deal about this rare machine: the very large double-cradle frame shows its relationship to the Monneret, the forks and rear plungers had lost their exposed springs, the markings had gone from the fuel tank, and likewise from the tool box. Notice the new front brake with air scoops for ventilation and the latest creation from Sachs: the unit-construction 50cc engine and 5-speed gearbox without forced-air cooling.
Cazenave's target was clear: this discrete and distinguished machine was aimed at a slightly older clientele, riders who had gained their French "A1" licence. But, on the subject of motor cycles, the Japanese had some much more convincing arguments ...
First published - August 1995