"The Piaggio company was founded in Genoa in 1884, by twenty-year old Rinaldo Piaggio. It moved from timber machining to the production of ship fittings, and later aeroplanes and seaplanes, built at that time in wood and canvas, first at the Finale Ligure factory and subsequently in Pontedera (Tuscany). Piaggio became one of the country’s largest aircraft manufacturers. For this reason, the Finale and Pontedera plants were considered strategic targets and were bombed during World War II."
The Invention
"In 1946, as Italy embarked on postwar reconstruction, the rebuilding of the main Pontedera factory was assigned to one of Rinaldo’s two sons, Enrico, who opted for a full conversion focusing on personal mobility. He achieved his ambition, a stylish vehicle for the mass market, thanks to the extraordinary design work of his most talented aeronautical engineer: Corradino D’Ascanio."
The Birth of the Legend
"The brilliant inventor took as his starting point the prototype known as “Paperino” (Donald Duck), on which he implemented a series of revolutionary changes. He eliminated the drive chain, with the wheel driven directly from the transmission, put the gear lever on the handlebar, designed a monocoque frame and enclosed bodywork to protect the rider. In April 1946, the MP6 prototype took shape. Seeing it for the first time, Enrico Piaggio commented: \"Sembra una vespa!\" (it looks like a wasp). He gave the go-ahead for mass production of the first Vespa 98 cc, offering luxury optional features like a speedometer, a side stand and stylish white-trim tyres."
The Development of the Miracle
"Among those who understood the brilliance of the idea and the usual sceptics, the latter were soon to change their minds. Production soared: from 2,484 scooters in the first year, the total reached 19,822 in 1948 with the new Vespa 125. In 1950, with the first German licensee, output reached 60,000 vehicles. Three years later, it soared to 171,200, and the number of Piaggio service stations around the world – including America and Asia – rose to more than ten thousand. This magical period was only the start: soon the Vespa would be produced in 13 countries and marketed in 114 countries around the world."
A World Stage
"Having inspired a thousand copies and imitations, in 1953 the Vespa celebrated the production of the five hundred thousandth model while starring with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the movie "Roman Holiday". In 1956 shipments topped the one million mark. By 1960 they had risen to 2 million, then 4 million in 1970 and more than 10 million in 1988. To date, Piaggio has shipped more than 18 million Vespa scooters. Contributing to this success were scooters that have become legends, like the Vespa 50 in 1963 and dozens of models that, over the years, have renewed the myth. The Vespa 150 GS of 1955 was the first “sports” model to reach 100 km/h, followed by the 180 SS in 1965. The 125 Primavera of 1968 became one of the symbols of a generation that left its mark on the history of the world. The 180 Rally from 1968 introduced the new and more powerful front headlamp, the 50 Elestart of 1970 launched an electric starter system, while the imposing 200 Rally of 1972 became the Vespa for travellers exploring the world."
The Decade Of Change
"After the stunning expansion of the previous years, Piaggio began thinking of ways to adapt the Vespa to changing city lifestyles and traffic. In 1976 the 125 Primavera ET3 featured an electronic ignition system and 3 intake ports. In 1978 the P 125 X introduced a complete bodywork make-over, while the P 200 E had separate lubrication and, for the first time, direction indicators incorporated in the body. In 1984 the PK 125 marked the debut of automatic transmission, the most radical change since 1946. In 1985 the T5 Pole Position was the first "super sport" model, with an aluminium cylinder for better dissipation of the heat generated by the scooter’s high power. In 1989 the 50 PK N became the top performing "Vespino" - little Vespa - while in 1996 the ET4 125 was the first Vespa scooter with a 4-stroke central engine and automatic transmission: launched to mark the Vespa Jubilee, over the next two years it became the best-selling branded two-wheeler in Europe."
The New Millenium
"In the autumn of 2000 the ET4 50 was the first "Vespino" with a 4-stroke engine. It's record-breaking range (more than 500 km with a full tank) put the Vespa stamp on the millenium of the digital revolution. Meanwhile the Vespa returned to USA: ten years later, the Vespa LX/S would be the best-selling European two-wheeler in the States. The years between these two events were at a time of comebacks. From the timeless PX, which has topped the extraordinary figure of three million shipments in a career spanning more than 30 years, to the Granturismo, the first Vespa with a four-stroke, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine. From the GTS 250 i.e of 2005 to the GTS 300 super of 2008, from the S 50 and LX 50 4V of 2009 to the recently unveiled LX 3V and Vespa S 3V, the last few years have witnessed a succession of engine and stylistic improvements."
Global Future
"Today more than ever, the Vespa is a global brand: the Pontedera factory turns out Vespa scooters for Europe and the Western markets, including the Americas; in Vietnam, the Vinh Phuc plant produces vehicles for the local market and the Far East countries; in India, the brand new Baramati plant, which opened in April 2012, serves the Indian market. The Vespa also continues to set the pace in terms of aesthetic and technological innovation. With the arrival of the LX/S and GTS/GTV families, production has more than tripled over ten years, during which time more than one million new Vespa scooters have appeared on the world’s roads. Today the 946 perfectly embodies the Vespa’s intention of continuing to provide a window on the future while honouring its legacy. The legend demands nothing less."
Towards the end of the Second World War, Enrico Piaggio was driven to start up production again by the idea of offering the widest possible market a low-cost product. And, with this idea in mind, the factory at Biella produced a motor-scooter. This prototype, designed by the engineer Renzo Spolti and coded MP5 (Moto Piaggio 5), was christened "Paperino", that is "Donald Duck", by the workers. But Enrico Piaggio didn’t like it, and passed the job over to Corradino D’Ascanio toreview the project and build something different, more advanced both technically and stylistically. Rather than modify the Paperino, D’Ascanio designed a completely new vehicle which was soon to become the Vespa. However, before "evolving" into the Vespa, about one hundred Paperinos were produced which are today highly prized by collectors the world over.
A single-cylinder, two-stroke engine Engine size: 98 cc Continuous speed-variator gearbox Chain transmission Wheels: 4.00-10"
The war wasn't yet over when Enrico Piaggio gave Corradino D'Ascanio the job of designing a simple vehicle tough, economic and elegant. It had to be easily rideable by anybody without dirtying their clothes, and have a seat for a passenger.
D'Ascanio, who was not a great lover of motorbikes as such, drew up a completely original vehicle. Digging into his aeronautics background he came up with the idea of a vehicle mounted on a chassis with the gear change on the handlebars. He also put the drive on the rear wheel so creating a highly original wheel-mounted engine grouping. The front suspension arm, looking a bit like an aircraft's landing gear, made changing the wheel much easier.
This prototype, the MP6, was still without a name when it was first presented to Enrico Piaggio who let out, "It looks like a wasp!". Wasp is "Vespa" in Italian. That was towards the end of 1945.In the April of 1946, the first 15 models were ready at the Piaggio factory in Pontedera, near Pisa.
The MP6 prototype varied from the final version in that it was without the engine cooling fan, the handbrake was on the left instead of on the right, the hooter was under the seat, the footboard struts were in aluminium, and it boasted the airforce badge on the front.
A single-cylinder two-stroke engine with the cylinder in iron and the cylinder head in light alloy. Bore: 50 mm Stroke: 50 mm Engine size: 98 cc Maximum speed: 37.28 mph Suspension: elastic with a steel spring on the front wheel and rubber pads for the rear wheel and the engine. Brakes: expansion, the front wheel being operated by a handbrake mounted on the right side of the handlebars, the rear wheel operated by a foot-brake pedal mounted on the foot rest. Wheels: 3.50– 8"
The motoleggera utilitaria Vespa, or light motorised runabout, was presented to the public for the first time in April 1946 at the Rome golf club. The leg shield sported the new Piaggio logo, which replaced the former aeronautical emblem. The fortnightly magazine "La Moto" dedicated its cover to the Vespa and the new scooter sparked off curiosity, surprise but also a certain scepticism among the public. For the first few months the Vespa was marketed by the Lancia dealer network, and a total of 2,484 were produced in its first year of life.
And so the adventure of the world's most famous scooter began.
2-stroke single cylinder engine. Horizontal cast iron cylinder with press-fit light alloy head Bore: 50 mm Stroke: 50 mm Capacity: 98 cc Top speed: 60 km/h Suspension: elastic, with spiral steel springs on the front wheel, and rubber buffers for the rear wheel and engine Brakes: of the expansion type. Handbrake on the right side of the handlebar for the front wheel, and pedal on the right side of the floor for the rear wheel Wheels: 3.50-8"
In 1948, Piaggio launched its new Vespa. With respect to the original model, the engine size had been increased to 125 cc, and a shock-absorber mounted on the rear wheel offered a more comfortable ride. The front-wheel suspension had been modified too, with the arm being mounted to the right of the wheel, where it would remain for years to come. Also, the engine casing now opened upwards giving easy access to the engine, clutch, gearbox and so on.
A single-cylinder two-stroke engine with the cylinder in cast-iron and the cylinder head in light alloy. Bore: 56.5 mm Stroke: 49.8 mm Engine size: 124.789 cc Maximum speed: 43.5 mph Suspension: helicoidal spring on the front wheel, elastic with helicoidal spring and hydraulic shock-absorber on the rear wheel. Brakes: expansion, the front wheel being operated by a handlebar-mounted handbrake, the rear wheel operated by a foot-brake pedal mounted on the footboard. Wheels: 3.50 – 8"
A vehicle developed for trial racing, in which it enjoyed considerable success. Its styling was very similar to that of the standard models, except for a larger fuel tank, wrapround leg shield and larger side sacks to house the carburettor on the cylinder. It earned its name by competing in the 26th International 6-Day event of 1951, at which it won nine gold medals.
2-stroke single cylinder engine Bore: 54 mm Stroke: 54 mm Capacity: 124.2 cc Top speed: 95 km/h Suspension: elastic, with coil spring on the front wheel, elastic with coil spring and hydraulic damper on the rear wheel Brakes: cast iron drums with large cooling fins Wheels: 3.50-8"
In 1951, Vespa set off to challenge the most prestigious of speed trial: that of the standing kilometre. On the 9th of February, between the 10th and the 11th kilometre on the Rome-Ostia motorway, a Vespa with two horizontally opposed cylinders designed by Corradino D’Ascanio and driven by the test-driver Dino Mazzoncini, beat all records with a time of 21.4 seconds and an average speed of 106.3 mph.
The engine’s two drive-shaft were connected by cogs and each cylinder was served by a separate carburettor.
Horizontally-opposed, two cylinder, two stroke engine Power: 17.2 bhp at 9,500 revs Bore: 42mm Stroke: 45 mm Engine size: 124.5 cc Four-speed gear box Wheels. 3.00-10" (built specifically by Pirelli for the trials)
Following on the heels of the Vespa 6 Giorni (6 Days), of which only a limited number were produced, the 150 GS was the first mass-produced "sport" version of the Vespa and became a milestone in the history of not just the Vespa but of the motor-scooter in general. The 150 GS is remembered as being the world’s most beautiful scooter ever produced and is highly sought after by today’s collectors of vintage Vespas.
The scooter public had grown up, had changed. The Vespa had become the means of how to stand out in a society which was slowly coming to terms with a new social entity: youth.
For the first time, a vehicle born as a quiet way for lots of people to get about suddenly discovered it was capable of breath taking performance.
Born from the Piaggio racing team experience, the GS was the first scooter with a 150 cc engine and was highly sporty in concept. It had a direct fuel injection engine generating 8 bhp at 7,500 revs and reached a top speed of 63 mph. It had a four-speed gearbox, and its long saddle and large 10" wheels gave the Vespa line a new, aggressive look.
A single-cylinder, two stroke engine with rounded piston without deflector Bore: 57 mm Stroke: 57 mm Engine size: 145.6 cc Maximum speed: 63 mph Suspension: coaxial biconic spring for the rear shock-absorber Brakes: drum brakes both front and rear. Drums in light alloy with rings in cast iron, and cooling fins Wheels: 3.50-10"
This was the most popular Vespa with the young. Brilliant and easily handled, with attractive, exclusive styling that reiterated the line of its larger sisters, it had a completely new engine, with the cylinder positioned at a 45° angle and no longer horizontal. The last scooter to be designed by Corradino D'Ascanio, the 50 was a milestone in Vespa history: from 1964 to the present day, over 3 million were built.
2-stroke single cylinder engine Bore: 38 mm Stroke: 43 mm Capacity: 49 cc Top speed: 40 km/h Suspension: rubber elements at the front; coil spring and hydraulic damper at the rear Brakes: drums front and rear Wheels: 2.75-9"
The Vespa Super Sprint 90 of 1966 certainly had the most original design, with its small leg-shield and oddments pannier between the saddle and the handlebar. Like the Vespa GS of 1955, the spare wheel could be positioned on the floor platform. Exploiting the success of the 90 SS, Piaggio designers also prepared a 50 cc version for younger "Vespisti". The 90 SS, like its little sister, is one of the rarer Vespa models, a real collector's item.
2-stroke single cylinder engine Bore: 47 mm Stroke: 51 mm Capacity: 88.5 cc Top speed: 93 km/h Suspension: identical to 90 Brakes: ventilated aluminium drums front and rear Wheels: 3.00-10"
This was the historic advertising slogan that launched the 50 cc model with which the baby boomers took over the roads. The winds of liberty must have been blowing very strong if the voice-over closed with the advice: "Ride carefully and courteously".
MELACOMPRO, LA VESPA.
To the soundtrack of the US musical Jesus Christ Superstar, a campaign highlighting the scooter as a passport to independence, equally at home in the city and in the country. So relaxed in the meadows that it neighs like a purebred horse. Because even advertising hyperbole is rooted in fact.
THE BEAT GOES ON
Psychedelic, dressed in pink, accompanied by a forceful guitar rhythm, in the woods and on the beaches, always in a crowd. These commercials celebrate a generation that dances without restraint, unable to stop moving. Of course, when you’ve got a Vespa, how can you stand still?
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