A Tin of Tomatoes and a Tiny Scooter

Book excerpt: Part manual of handy hints, part practical guide, and above all a humorous personal diary, A Tin of Tomatoes and a Tiny Scooter is a tale of what typically befalls those who choose to restore a classic vehicle. In this case, it is the author's obscure 1960s model Italian motor scooter. Follow the almost quixotic journey, as Gary L. Edgar first imports the bike, and then begins the time and dollar-devouring process of restoring his 1964 Ducati Brio 48 motor scooter, an unloved oddity from the famous Italian motorcycle company. Outclassed in the era's marketplace by Vespa and Lambretta, the Ducati Brio fluttered briefly into life before disappearing into obscurity as a now rare beast, even in its native Italy. It became the author's mission to restore the Brio to something more than its former glory, to the road, and to the public eye. From a dealer in classic motorcycles in the town of Manduria in the south of Italy, the Brio travels in a shipping container along with tinned tomatoes, to eventually arrive in Brisbane, Australia. In this frequently hilarious saga of tears and triumphs, the tiny Brio finally emerges to win both public admiration and trophies at bike shows in Australia. Hop aboard for the ride of your life.