It accomplishes 75 years of the legendary Vespa. The best known Italian pride in the world has been patented the 23 April 1946 by the aeronautical designer Corradino D'Ascanio. The Made in Italy emblem was fundamental for post-war Italy but above all it represented a synonym of freedom for everyone. I am over 19 million units produced in 75 years of life and many i models that have in fact marked the history of Piaggio. Enrico Piaggio started the production of 2.000 copies of the now historic Vespa 98, "Light utility vehicle" which at the time cost 55 thousand lire. In a short time it became a milestone in world motorization.
The debut of the Vespa and the intuition of Enrico Piaggio
La Vespa 98cc came presented at the Golf Club of Rome with the presence of the American general Stone representing the allied military government. Italians saw it in international newspapers and in the US Movieton newsreel before admiring it for the first time live at the Milan Fair of 1946. At its debut it was possible to choose the luxury version with odometer and white tires, an authentic revolution made in Italy that conquered everyone also thanks to the foresight of Enrico Piaggio. To allow more people to buy his product, he devised installment payments and managed to establish himself on the market in a short time.
The tributes of culture
The success of Wasp it also echoes in cinema, literature and music with many works that have chosen the scooter as a symbol of freedom to move. Easy, young and carefree, it is the first global brand of the motor industry capable of uniting entire generations. From "Vespa 50"By Lunapop in music to film cult such as" Roman Holidays "," Poveri ma Belli "," American Graffiti "and" Caro Diario ", there are many tributes from the world of culture to the legendary Vespa. And to think that initially the debut was really exclusive.
The most important models
In addition to the 98 model, the first to be put into production, there are many models that have renewed the tradition of Piaggio and further fueled its myth. Unforgettable the Vespa GS 150 produced in 1955 and characterized by personal lines and a power of 150 cc for 8 hp for a cost of 178 thousand lire. In 1963 Piaggio expands to teenagers with the first Vespa 50 single-cylinder 2-stroke 49,8 cc and 1,5 hp, six years later it's the turn of the legendary "Special”With 10” wheels and - in the second series - the 4-speed gearbox.
1968 is characterized by one of the best known and most appreciated models: Vespa 125 Primavera with state-of-the-art performance for the time and a very low weight. In the same year the first model with the rotary valve suction was born, the Wasp 180 Rally at a cost of 187 thousand lire. Among the most significant production successes, the Vespa PX 125, Piaggio's first step into the modern era. Lines, electrical systems and chassis change, laying the foundations for subsequent developments. With the Vespa PK 125 S Automatic Elestart the first model with automatic transmission arrives, while for its 50 years of life the Vespa ET4 125 with small body and 4-stroke engine
In the last 15 years, two models have captured the attention of the world public. In 2008 comes the Vespa Gts 300 Super which adopts a 278 cc maxi liquid-cooled engine, while ten years later it's the turn of the Electric Vespa, first full electric scooter that anticipates the times by dictating the line for the future.
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