1958 Cushman Eagle

The Cushman Eagle was Vespa's American rival, and it couldn't have been more different. Where the Vespa was curvaceous and Continental, the Eagle was angular and industrial. Cushman built engines for decades before making scooters, and the Husky powerplant showed it — these were workhorses, not fashion statements. The Eagle became the scooter of choice for postal workers, meter maids, and anyone who needed utilitarian transportation. Later, the rockabilly and custom scene adopted Eagles as the anti-Vespa: proudly American, defiantly uncool, and perfect for customization. Cushman stopped scooter production in 1965, but the Eagle's cult following endures.

Eagles were built to work, and survivors often show it. The heavy gauge steel resists rust better than Italian scooters, but decades of fleet service leave marks. Original paint in any condition is valued. The rockabilly custom scene has claimed many Eagles for wild builds — nice if you like that, but it means clean stock examples are harder to find.

The Husky engine is dead simple and overbuilt. Parts are available through dedicated Cushman suppliers. The automatic clutch makes them easy to ride. Top speed is around 40-45 mph, and they feel it — these weren't designed for speed. The ride quality is basic. But an Eagle is a conversation piece in ways a Vespa isn't — most people have never seen one. The small community is helpful and passionate.