Jawetta article from CMR 1961

The Jawetta (above) was introduced in 1958 but at that stage was called just the “Jawa Moped” and was designated model 551. This model was actually a Jawa product made at the Jawa factory in Prague.  It was produced until 1962. The Pionyr (or Pioneer) predates the Jawetta being introduced in 1955 as model 550, which became known as the “tree stump” because of the shape of the saddle. This was designed by Jawa but made by the Povazske Strojarne factory in Western Slovakia.  In 1958 a new model, the 555 was introduced with a number of improvements, see the 1958 CMR article below for more details. As some of these adverts (right) show, the Jawetta & Pionyr were sold along side one another. The Pionyr, which didn’t have pedals, was marketed as a lightweight motorcycle.  The Jawetta, with pedals, was a moped being more suitable for “women and juveniles” - their words, not mine. Although both had 49.8cc engines, the Pionyr had 2.2HP with a 3 speed gear box against the Jawetta’s 1.5HP & 2 speed box.

Three adverts from Finland, from 1960.

An article from Czech Motor Review 1958 issue 1.(in pdf)

Cover of CMR no.8 1959

In 2006 a company called Motoscoot started producing a pretty good recreation of the model 555.  Here is a couple of posters for the NEW Pionyr model and the UK importers advert plus an article from Torque giving more information.