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Vespa History
Vespa has not only left its mark on an entire era, but it has even
become the symbol of a Europe struggling to rise from the ashes of
the Second World War. Piaggio emerged from the conflict with its Pontedera
plant completely demolished by bombing. Italy's crippled economy and
the disastrous state of the roads did not assist in the re-development
of the automobile markets.
Enrico Piaggio, the son of Piaggio's founder Rinaldo Piaggio, decided
to leave the aeronautical field in order to address Italy's urgent
need for a modern and affordable mode of transportation. The idea
was to design a vehicle for the masses that could get post war Italy
moving again.
An aeronautical engineer named Corradino D'Ascanio, responsible for
the design and construction of the first modern helicopter, was given
the job of designing a simple, robust and affordable vehicle. The
vehicle had to be easy to drive for both men and women, be able to
carry a passenger, and not get its driver's clothes dirty.
D'Ascanio, who could not stand motorbikes, dreamed up a revolutionary
vehicle. Dipping into his knowledge of aeronautics, he designed a
vehicle built on a frame with a handlebar gear, with the engine mounted
on the rear wheel. The front fork, like an aircraft's landing gear,
allowed for easy wheel changing.
From Enrico Piaggio's vision sprung the Vespa in the spring of 1946.
In April of 1946, the first 15 Vespas left the Pontedera plant. The
first Vespa had a 98cc two-stroke engine giving 3.5 hp at 4,500 revs.
It reached 60 kilometres per hour and had 3 gears.
This was a real two-wheeled utility vehicle that did not resemble
an uncomfortable and noisy motorbike, but instead it emanated class
and elegance at first sight.
Please contact us for more details
about Vespa Scooters for Sale at Vespa Palm Beach.
Click here for Vespa
Clothing & Accessories
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Special Scooter Financing
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Vespa 2-stroke PX150 scooters
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