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Vespa: A History Of Design

Category
Autos Autos News
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2013 Ford Focus ST
1945 MP5 Paperino
  • 1945 MP5 Paperino
    1945%20MP5%20Paperino
    Towards%20the%20end%20of%20the%20Second%20World%20War%2C%20Enrico%20Piaggio%20was%20driven%20to%20start%20up%20production%20by%20the%20idea%20of%20offering%20the%20widest%20possible%20market%20low-cost%20product.%20And%2C%20with%20this%20in%20mind%2C%20the%20factory%20at%20Biella%20produced%20a%20motor%20scooter%20%281943-1944%29.%20This%20prototype%2C%20designed%20by%20the%20engineer%20Renzo%20Spolti%20and%20coded%20MP5%20%28Moto%20Piaggio%205%29%2C%20was%20christened%20%26%238216%3BPaperino%26%238217%3B%20meaning%20%26%238216%3BDonald%20Duck%26%238217%3B%20by%20the%20workers.%20But%20Enrico%20Piaggio%20didn%26acute%3Bt%20like%20it%20and%20passed%20the%20job%20over%20to%20Corradino%20D%26acute%3BAscanio%20to%20review%20the%20project%20and%20build%20something%20different%2C%20more%20advanced%20both%20technically%20and%20stylistically.%20However%2C%20before%20evolving%20into%20the%20Vespa%2C%20about%20one%20hundred%20Paperinos%20were%20produced%2C%20which%20are%20today%20highly%20prized%20by%20collectors.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1945 MP5 Paperino
    1947 Vespa 98 cc Corsa
    1947%20Vespa%2098%20cc%20Corsa
    The%20first%20Vespa%20Corsa%20or%20%26%238216%3BRace%26%238217%3B%20was%20conceived%20for%20participation%20in%20various%20race%20circuits.%20With%20it%2C%20in%201947%20Piaggio%20dealers%20could%20enter%20in%20speed%20contests.%20The%20Vespa%20in%20fact%20took%20part%20in%20several%20gradient%20and%20track%20races%2C%20with%20many%20victories%20in%20the%20scooter%20category%2C%20among%20which%20the%20Naples%20Grand%20Prix%20in%201947%20and%20the%20chronograph%20climb%20at%20Rocca%20di%20Papa%20%28Rome%29.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1947 Vespa 98 cc Corsa
    1949 Vespa 125 Corsa
    1949%20Vespa%20125%20Corsa
    In%201949%20the%20Vespa%20125%20Corsa%20was%20manufactured.%20The%20frame%20was%20of%20aluminum%20alloy%20used%20in%20aircraft%20construction%20and%20assembled%20using%20alloy%20rivets%2C%20an%20avant-garde%20technological%20feature%20for%20the%20time.%20The%20larger%20fuel%20tank%20stretched%20towards%20the%20steering%20column%20and%20was%20intended%20to%20offer%20increased%20range%20and%20optimize%20riding%20at%20high%20speed.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1949 Vespa 125 Corsa
    1950 Vespa Monthery
    1950%20Vespa%20Monthery
    In%20order%20to%20promote%20the%20sporting%20image%20of%20the%20Vespa%2C%20Piaggio%20turned%20its%20attention%20to%20record%20breaking%20in%20the%20hope%20of%20reviving%20a%20glorious%20post-war%20tradition.%20On%20April%207%201950%2C%20on%20France%26acute%3Bs%20Monthery%20circuit%2C%20riders%20took%20turns%20as%20the%20Vespa%20spent%2010%20consecutive%20hours%20acquiring%2017%20world%20records%20including%20driving%20over%201%2C000%20kilometers%20%28621.4%20miles%29%20at%20an%20average%20of%20124.3%20km%2Fh%20%2877.2%20mph%29.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1950 Vespa Monthery
    1951 Vespa Siluro
    1951%20Vespa%20Siluro
    In%201951%2C%20Vespa%20set%20off%20to%20challenge%20the%20most%20prestigious%20speed%20trial%3A%20that%20of%20the%20standing%20kilometer.%20On%20February%209%2C%20between%20the%2010th%20and%2011th%20kilometer%20on%20the%20Rome-Ostia%20motorway%2C%20a%20Vespa%20with%20two%20horizontally%20opposed%20pistons%20designed%20by%20Corradino%20D%26acute%3BAscanio%20and%20driven%20by%20the%20test-driver%20Dino%20Mazzoncini%2C%20beat%20all%20standing%20kilometer%20records%20with%20a%20time%20of%2021.4%20seconds%20and%20an%20average%20speed%20of%20171.1%20km%2Fh%20%28106.3%20mph%29.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1951 Vespa Siluro
    1955 Vespa 150 side-car
    1955%20Vespa%20150%20side-car
    The%20Vespa%20side-car%20was%20advertised%20in%20March%201948%2C%20following%20the%20success%20of%20the%20new%20125%20cc%20engine.%20The%20Vespa%20150%20VL%201%20was%20the%20first%20to%20be%20built%20in%20this%20displacement.%20The%20first%20were%20sold%20at%20the%20end%20of%201954.%20Studied%20in%20minute%20detail%2C%20the%20Vespa%20with%20the%20sidecar%20had%20suspension%20coil%20springs%20for%20stability%20and%20comfort%20on%20long%20rides.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1955 Vespa 150 side-car
  • 1956 Vespa 150 T.A.P. (Truppe Aero Paracadutate)
    1956%20Vespa%20150%20T.A.P.%20%28Truppe%20Aero%20Paracadutate%29
    In%20the%201950s%20the%20French%20defense%20ministry%20commissioned%20ACMA%2C%20Piaggio%26acute%3Bs%20French%20licensee%2C%20to%20produce%20a%20vehicle%20for%20military%20use.%20The%20result%20was%20the%20very%20special%20Vespa%20150%20T.A.P.%20%28Truppe%20Aereo%20Portate%20or%20%26%238216%3Bair%20troops%20carrier%26%238217%3B%29%2C%20of%20which%20about%206%2C000%20units%20were%20produced%20from%201956%20to%201959%20at%20ACMA%26acute%3Bs%20factory.%20Used%20by%20the%20Foreign%20Legion%20and%20French%20paratroopers%2C%20the%20Vespa%20T.A.P.%20could%20be%20parachuted%20and%20had%20a%2075mm%20cannon.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1956 Vespa 150 T.A.P. (Truppe Aero Paracadutate)
    1957 Vespa 400
    1957%20Vespa%20400
    At%20the%20peak%20of%20the%20success%20of%20the%20Vespa%2C%20Piaggio%20decides%20to%20make%20an%20entrance%20into%20the%20world%20of%20the%20four-wheeler%2C%20still%20in%20the%20optic%20of%20producing%20an%20economic%20vehicle%20for%20a%20wide%20market.%20Once%20again%20Corradino%20D%26acute%3BAscanio%20set%20out%20designing%20the%20little%20Vespa%20400%2C%20a%20two-stroke%20car%20built%20in%20two%20versions.%20After%20its%20debut%20in%201957%2C%2030%2C000%20models%20were%20produced%20by%20ACMA%2C%20Piaggio%26acute%3Bs%20French%20licensee.%20In%201959%2C%20it%20even%20ran%20in%20the%20Monte%20Carlo%20rally.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1957 Vespa 400
    1962 Vespa 150 S Dali
    1962%20Vespa%20150%20S%20Dali
    This%20Vespa%26acute%3Bs%20paint%20job%20was%20designed%20to%20pay%20homage%20to%20the%20artist%20Salvador%20Dali.%20%5BImage%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1962 Vespa 150 S Dali
    1965 Vespa 90 Super Sprint
    1965%20Vespa%2090%20Super%20Sprint
    The%20Super%20Sprint%20is%20no%20doubt%20the%20most%20stylish%20Vespa%20with%20its%20unmistakable%20aggressive%20design%2C%20its%20speed%2C%20its%20irresistible%20spurt%20and%20its%20stirring%20riding.%20Production%20started%20in%201965.%20It%20features%20a%20smaller%20leg%20shield%20and%20an%20oddments%20pannier%20placed%20between%20the%20saddle%20and%20the%20handlebar.%20Like%20the%20Vespa%20GS%20of%201955%2C%20the%20spare%20wheel%20can%20be%20positioned%20in%20the%20middle%20of%20the%20floor%20platform.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1965 Vespa 90 Super Sprint
    1967 Vespa Alpha (Vespa 180 SS)
    1967%20Vespa%20Alpha%20%28Vespa%20180%20SS%29
    This%20vehicle%20appeared%20in%20the%20film%20Dick%20Smart%202007%20%281967%29%20starring%20Richard%20Wyler%2C%20Margaret%20Lee%20and%20Rosanna%20Tapados.%20For%20this%20movie%2C%20the%20Vespa%20180%20Super%20Sport%20was%20transformed%20by%20Piaggio%20and%20by%20the%20English%20factory%20Alpha%20Willis%20to%20race%20along%20the%20road%2C%20fly%20like%20a%20helicopter%2C%20sail%20and%20dive%20like%20a%20submarine.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1967 Vespa Alpha (Vespa 180 SS)
    1970 Vespa 50 con pedali
    1970%20Vespa%2050%20con%20pedali
    In%201970%20in%20order%20to%20be%20sold%20on%20the%20French%20market%2C%20the%20Vespa%2050%20underwent%20a%20particular%20transformation%3A%20pedals.%20Although%20little%20appreciated%20from%20an%20aesthetical%20point%20of%20view%2C%20this%20solution%20was%20necessary%20to%20adapt%20to%20the%20French%20homologation%20provisions.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1970 Vespa 50 con pedali
  • 1972 Vespa Rally 200
    1972%20Vespa%20Rally%20200
    After%20the%20Vespa%20180%26acute%3Bs%20great%20success%2C%20Piaggio%20presents%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%201972%20the%20Vespa%20200%20cc.%20It%20has%20immediate%20success.%20Vespa%20fans%20are%20even%20ready%20to%20wait%20for%20months%20to%20have%20it.%20From%20an%20aesthetical%20point%20of%20view%2C%20the%20Vespa%20Rally%20200%20is%20immediately%20recognizable%20due%20to%20its%20adhesive%20stripes%20on%20the%20sides%20and%20on%20the%20mudguard.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1972 Vespa Rally 200
    1976 Vespa Primavera ET3
    1976%20Vespa%20Primavera%20ET3
    The%20Vespa%20Primavera%20ET3%20is%20a%20specific%2C%20limited-edition%20variant%20%28144%2C000%20units%20were%20produced%20overall%29%20of%20the%20Vespa%20Primavera.%20The%20initials%20ET3%20indicate%20that%20the%20vehicle%20had%20electronic%20ignition%20and%20that%20the%20engine%26acute%3Bs%20single%20cylinder%20had%20a%20third%20transfer%20port.%20The%20smaller-sized%20body%2C%20like%20that%20of%20the%20Vespa%2050%20cc%2C%20gave%20the%20vehicle%20more%20maneuverability%2C%20a%20feature%20that%20made%20this%20Vespa%20a%20favorite%20of%201970%26acute%3Bs%20youngsters.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1976 Vespa Primavera ET3
    1977 Vespa Gigante
    1977%20Vespa%20Gigante
    This%20Vespa%20model%20was%20built%20for%20the%201977%20show%20to%20launch%20the%20Vespa%20in%20Paris.%20Brought%20back%20and%20jealously%20guarded%20by%20the%20Piaggio%20Warehouse%20team%2C%20the%20Vespa%20was%20painted%20by%20artist%20Stefano%20Tonelli.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1977 Vespa Gigante
    1982 Vespa PK
    1982%20Vespa%20PK
    At%20the%20end%20of%201982%2C%20the%20year%20in%20which%20the%20Italian%20national%20soccer%20team%20wins%20the%20World%20Cup%2C%20the%20new%20Vespa%20PK%20is%20presented%20with%20two%20different%20displacements%3A%2050%20and%20125.%20The%20versions%20are%3A%20Basic%2C%20Luxury%20%28optional%20extras%20of%20a%20case%20and%20blinkers%29%2C%20Elestart%20%28with%20electric%20start%29%20and%20Automatic.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1982 Vespa PK
    1985 Vespa 50 S
    1985%20Vespa%2050%20S
    In%201985%20Piaggio%20plans%20a%20faster%2050%20cc%20model%20as%20needed%20to%20satisfy%20the%20demand%20of%20some%20countries.%20The%20engine%20delivers%20larger%20power%2C%20even%20though%20the%20bore%20and%20stroke%20remain%20of%20the%20same%20size.%20By%20this%20time%2C%20a%20license%20plate%20was%20required%20in%20Italy%20on%20the%20Vespa%2050%20S.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1985 Vespa 50 S
    1991 Vespa 50 Special Revival
    1991%20Vespa%2050%20Special%20Revival
    Proposed%20at%20the%20beginning%20of%20the%201990s%20to%20satisfy%20both%20yesterday%20and%20today%26acute%3Bs%20enthusiasts%2C%20the%2050%20Special%20was%20the%20most%20beloved%20Vespa%20with%20the%20young%20of%20the%201960s.%20Appreciated%20all%20over%20the%20world%2C%20the%2050%20Special%20is%20back%20again%20in%201991%20in%20a%20limited%20edition%20%28only%203%2C000%20produced%29%20to%20become%20acquainted%20with%20those%20who%20in%20the%201960s%20were%20not%20yet%20born%20or%20were%20absent-minded.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1991 Vespa 50 Special Revival
  • 1996 Vespa ET
    1996%20Vespa%20ET
    This%20is%20the%2050th%20anniversary%20Vespa%2C%20presented%20in%20September%201996%20in%20Rome.%20The%20Vespa%20approaches%20the%20millennium%20without%20losing%20its%20traditional%20elegant%2C%20appealing%2C%20immediately%20recognizable%20and%20reassuring%20styling.%20At%20the%20same%20time%2C%20it%20has%20become%20technologically%20innovative%2C%20reaching%20new%20a%20milestone%20in%20terms%20of%20comfort%20and%20confirming%20its%20greatest%20strong%20point%2C%20the%20ability%20to%20reflect%20the%20fashions%20and%20requirements%20of%20the%20moment%20better%20than%20any%20other%20two-wheeler.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    1996 Vespa ET
    2001 Vespa ET4 Ferrari
    2001%20Vespa%20ET4%20Ferrari
    This%20is%20Piaggio%26acute%3Bs%20homage%20to%20the%20Ferrari%20racing%20stable%20on%20the%20occasion%20of%20their%20victory%20in%20the%20Formula%20One%20World%20Championship%20in%202000.%20These%20vehicles%2C%20personalized%20with%20the%20names%20Montezemolo%2C%20Todt%2C%20Schumacher%20and%20Barrichello%2C%20are%20painted%20on.%20The%20leather%20saddle%20is%20made%20of%20the%20same%20material%20used%20to%20upholster%20Ferrari%20cars.%20%5BImage%2FText%20Credit%3A%20Piaggio%5D
    2001 Vespa ET4 Ferrari
1945 MP5 Paperino
Towards the end of the Second World War, Enrico Piaggio was driven to start up production by the idea of offering the widest possible market low-cost product. And, with this in mind, the factory at Biella produced a motor scooter (1943-1944). This prototype, designed by the engineer Renzo Spolti and coded MP5 (Moto Piaggio 5), was christened ‘Paperino’ meaning ‘Donald Duck’ by the workers. But Enrico Piaggio didn´t like it and passed the job over to Corradino D´Ascanio to review the project and build something different, more advanced both technically and stylistically. However, before evolving into the Vespa, about one hundred Paperinos were produced, which are today highly prized by collectors. [Image/Text Credit: Piaggio]
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