

The Vespa Hoffmann C 125 cc, which was manufactured under licence in Germany in the mid-1950s, combines classic Italian scooter design with German craftsmanship. Hoffmann was one of the companies that, in co-operation with the Italian manufacturer Piaggio, adopted its successful concept and adapted it to the German market. Typical of the Vespa of the time was the curved sheet metal bodywork, which was characterised by a dominant Legshield and the unmistakable rear end. The Hoffmann C 125 ccm still impresses today with its robustness, which made it a popular everyday vehicle even back then.
The collaboration between Hoffmann and Piaggio began shortly after the Second World War, when Hoffmann acquired the licence to build the Vespa. In the early 1950s, the market for scooters was still relatively small, which gave the Vespa a good chance of establishing itself. The C 125 cc represents an important chapter in this licence history and was produced until around 1954. When Hoffmann and Piaggio parted ways, production of the Hoffmann Vespa also came to an end. The C 125 cc is one of the last models of this cooperation and has since become a coveted classic car due to the limited number of units produced.
The air-cooled two-stroke engine with a capacity of 125 ccm was a solid choice for the time and offered sufficient power for city and country rides. It usually produced around four to five hp and enabled speeds of 70 to 75 km/h, which was perfectly adequate for everyday use in the 1950s. Enthusiasts still appreciate the typical two-stroke sound and the spontaneous response behaviour when starting off today. The simple design also makes it easier to maintain and restore, as basic maintenance work can be carried out by the owner, provided they have the necessary technical understanding.
The Hoffmann C 125 ccm is comparatively rare on today's second-hand market, as only a limited number were produced and many examples have disappeared or been heavily modified over time. Collectors value them for their special historical background and are happy to invest in well-preserved or faithfully restored models. Prices can be correspondingly high. However, anyone who gets hold of an example in need of restoration should be prepared for an intensive search for spare parts, as body-specific components or original Frame Parts in particular are no longer easy to find. Where do you look for this vehicle?
At your trusted Vespa dealer
Classified adverts in the local newspaper
Markets and trade fairs such as Mostra Scambio in Italy
Online marketplaces such as www.mobile.de, www.autoscout24.de etc.
In addition to its nostalgic value, the Hoffmann C 125 ccm is characterised by small special features that distinguish it from Italian Vespa models. These include different Emblems, possibly varying small parts and certain German supplier components that were used during production. For enthusiasts and collectors, it therefore represents an exciting link between Italian design and German production. Anyone who treats themselves to such a piece of contemporary history not only enjoys the original riding pleasure of a classic scooter, but also helps to keep an important chapter of scooter history alive.
Our online exploded views for scooters make it much easier for you to find the right part. Each item is assigned exactly to the corresponding vehicle, with year of manufacture and chassis number. From our Expo lists, you can navigate directly to the spare parts, where a photo and a description are then available for almost every part. Conversely, you can also navigate from the item detail to the corresponding exploded view.