Permit me to geek out on you... This is a photo of a very rare Vespa badge. It is from a 1952 Allstate. I believe that this is a reproduction, but this gives you the idea of what they looked like.
Update 02/26/12: Friend of the site Johnny Maw sent in some very detailed information about the early Allstates. I'm going to post it here. Information about these really early Allstates is very hard to find, so enjoy!
It is my understanding that the first Allstate scooters were imported November of 1951. These scooters were made up of the common Vespa parts from that time, both frame and engine. The Allstate Chevron you have pictured was made to fit in the slot in the center of the leg shield, where the normal Piaggio tag would have been mounted. The VIN numbers for this first batch of Allstate scooters begins at 1000, and ends at 2000. These were model 788-100. I know of 3.
The next batch were model 788-101, for 1952. People often refer to these as the 1951 model, but it is not the same scooter, although they are quite similar to the 100 series. Like the 100 series, the cowls, front mudguard are all aluminum. It is the aluminum horn cast that confuses people, as it is mostly associated with the 1951 model. There are mere months that separate the two models, so when people refer to the 101 as the 100 or 1951, I generally agree, but they are indeed two different scooters.
The TA17B carb and the 12 & 6 hole pattern to mount the air filter were the same as well. The engine VIN was VA32M, where as the 100 series was something different (I will remember shortly). The VA32M engine was used for the rest of the pre-55 models. It is unknown exactly when the badges changed, but it is generally agreed that the Chevron may have made it on to a few of the 101 models, and then the Allstate Country-wide badge was placed into drilled holes on the leg shield. I have a bit of an oddity, a 2200 VIN that has neither the Chevron or the Allstate-Country badge, and no holes for either of them. Original paint and no visible body work. I am still investigating this.
The 788-101 models changed sometime in the middle of production, although they were still sold as 1952 model year. The most notable difference is the horn cast goes from the aluminum to a stamped metal piece. Assuming the 101 model started at VIN 2001, the aluminum horn cast made it at least through VIN 4400, as I have one in that range with the aluminum cast.
The 788-102 Model for 1953 remained mostly the same, although I believe a different switch cover was used, moving from metal to plastic. At some point in this production, it appears the fan cover moved from a louvre type, to an open center design. The carb and air filter also move to an 11 & 6 mounting pattern.
The 788-103 remained the same to my knowledge as well.
So with that bit of history, you have some background on why this badge is not one you often see. The only few that I've seen have been attached to scooters. Cool!
