The Model 85 is a big wonderful scooter, and combines a design that still draws attention today with ahead of its time performance and ease of use. Vespas and Lambretta that were made 10 years later simply do not compare to the mid to late 1940s Salsbury's. Where the later 1950s Italian scooters offered 2 cycle engines, clunky manual transmissions, clutch and brake levers that were uncomfortable for gals to use, and no usable cargo capacity, the Salsbury offered a 4 cycle engine, a delightful variable speed transmission, foot controlled gas and brake pedals, and a very usable trunk.

The Model 85 wasn't perfect of course - it still had a kick starter and lacked a front brake. Nonetheless, if you collect and ride old scooters, the Salsbury will very likely be your scooter of choice to ride around town. The Salsbury draws an amazing amount of attention from people - far more than other scooters and even cars from the same vintage.

The conventional wisdom is that Salsbury Motors - Northrop sold 700 to 1000 scooters from 1946 until Salsbury Motors filed for bankruptcy in August 1947. That estimate is based on statements Foster made in interviews regarding the history of his scooter. After reviewing bankruptcy records, pictures of the Salsbury Manufacturing plant, newspaper articles from the 1946 to 1947 era, and the list of serial numbers from members of the Salsbury Restorers Society, we believe the 700 to 1000 estimate of scooters sold is way too low. We suspect pre-bankruptcy Salsbury Motors MANUFACTURED approximately 6500 Model 85s and SOLD roughly 5000 Model 85s, and that another 2000 or so were delivered to dealers post-bankruptcy. Go the the Salsbury Motors Bankruptcy page for this analysis.

Check out the webpages above for more detailed pics and information relating to the Standard and DeLuxe versions of the Model 85.

Below we provide some brochures, technical service and parts manuals, and patents that were common to both the Standard and Deluxe versions of the Model 85.