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But the biggest sales promo ever was Hollywood. In [[1952]], [[Audrey Hepburn]] side-sadled [[Gregory Peck]]'s Vespa in the film [[Roman Holiday]], for a ride through Rome's byways - resulting in over 100,000 sales. In 1956, [[John Wayne]] dismounted his horse in favor of the two-wheeler - to get between takes on sets. By the end of the fifties, Lucia Bosé and her husband, the matador Dominguin, as well as [[Marlon Brando]] and the entertainer [[Abbe Lane]] had become Vespa owners. William Wyler filmed [[Ben Hur]] in Rome in 1959, allowing [[Charlton Heston]] to abandoned horse and chariot between takes to take a spin on the Vespa [http://www.dolcevita.com/design/vespa/vespa.htm]
But the biggest sales promo ever was Hollywood. In [[1952]], [[Audrey Hepburn]] side-sadled [[Gregory Peck]]'s Vespa in the film [[Roman Holiday]], for a ride through Rome's byways - resulting in over 100,000 sales. In 1956, [[John Wayne]] dismounted his horse in favor of the two-wheeler - to get between takes on sets. By the end of the fifties, Lucia Bosé and her husband, the matador Dominguin, as well as [[Marlon Brando]] and the entertainer [[Abbe Lane]] had become Vespa owners. William Wyler filmed [[Ben Hur]] in Rome in 1959, allowing [[Charlton Heston]] to abandoned horse and chariot between takes to take a spin on the Vespa [http://www.dolcevita.com/design/vespa/vespa.htm]


By the mid-1950's, Vespa's were being manufactured under licence in [[Germany]], [[Great Britain]], [[France]], [[Belgium]] and [[Spain]]; and in the 1960's, production was started in [[India]], [[Brazil]] and [[Indonesia]]. By 1956 one million had been sold, then two million by 1960, four million by 1970, and ten million by the late 1980s.
Vespa clubs popped up throughout Europe and by 1952, worldwide Vespa Club membership had surpassed 50,000. By the mid-1950's, Vespa's were being manufactured under licence in [[Germany]], [[Great Britain]], [[France]], [[Belgium]] and [[Spain]]; and in the 1960's, production was started in [[India]], [[Brazil]] and [[Indonesia]]. By 1956 one million had been sold, then two million by 1960. By the 1960s, the Vespa - originally conceived as a utility vehicle - had come to symbolize freedom and imagination, and resulted in further sales boosts: four million by 1970, and ten million by the late 1980s.


Improvements were made to the original design and new models were introduced. The 1948 Vespa 125 had rear suspension and a bigger engine. The headlamp was moved up to the handlebars in 1953, and had more engine power and a restyled rear fairing. A cheaper spartan version was also available. One of the best-loved models was the Vespa 150 GS introduced in 1955 with a 150cc engine, a long saddle, and the faired handlebar-headlamp unit. Then came the the 50cc of 1963, and in 1968 Vespa 125 Primavera became one of the most durable of all.
Improvements were made to the original design and new models were introduced. The 1948 Vespa 125 had rear suspension and a bigger engine. The headlamp was moved up to the handlebars in 1953, and had more engine power and a restyled rear fairing. A cheaper spartan version was also available. One of the best-loved models was the Vespa 150 GS introduced in 1955 with a 150cc engine, a long saddle, and the faired handlebar-headlamp unit. Then came the the 50cc of 1963, and in 1968 Vespa 125 Primavera became one of the most durable of all.

Revision as of 09:35, 13 June 2006

New Vespas

The Vespa is a line of motor scooters that was first manufactured in Pontedera, Italy in 1946 by Piaggio & Co, S.p.A. Piaggio continues to manufacture the Vespa today, although the Vespa was much more widely used in the 1950s and 60s when it became the adopted vehicle of choice for the UK youth-culture known as Mods, and later Skinheads. The classic Vespas had unibody chassis pressed from sheets of steel, with bodywork covering the legs for protection from rain and mud. The engine was covered completely by a steel cowling to appeal to a broader market of people, often turned off by the dirty/greasy stereotype often applied to motorcycles. Piaggio revolutionized the two-wheel industry with the Vespa and provided a model on which nearly every other scooter made since has been based.


History

You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|April 2006|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.
 Post World War II Italy was a dour place - and one which, in light of it's agreement to cessation of war activities with The Allies, meant that it's post-war aircraft industry was severly restricted in both capability and capacity.

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 cheap vehicle for the masses.

Concept

The main stimulus for the design style of the Vespa dates back to Pre-WWII Cushman scooters made in Nebraska, USA. These Olive Green scooters were in Italy in large numbers, ordered originally by Washington as field transport for the Paratroops and Marines; but the USA military had used them to get around Nazi defence tactics of destroying roads and bridges in the Dolomite mountain range/Austrian border areas.

Aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, later responsible for the design and construction of the first modern helicopter by Agusta in the 1960's, was given the job of designing a simple, robust and affordable vehicle by Enrico Piaggio. 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.

Classic Vespas in Perth, Western Australia

The product

D'Ascanio, who hated motorbikes, designed a revolutionary vehicle built on a spar-frame with a handlebar gear, with the engine mounted on the rear wheel. The front protection "shield" kept the rider dry and clean in comparison to the open front end on motorcycles. The pass-through leg area design was geared towards all user groups, including women, as wearing dresses or skirts made riding a motorcycle a challenge. The front fork, like an aircraft's landing gear, allowed for easy wheel changing.

This basic design allowed a series of features to be deployed on the frame, which would later allow quick development of new models. The original Vespa featured a rear pillion for a passenger, or optionally a storage compartment. The front protection "shield" kept the rider dry and clean in comparison to the open front end on motorcycles, with the original design featuring a flat panel of aero-metal on the front as a guard against the weather; later this developed to allow additional storage on the 'back of'/behind the front shield, similar to the glove compartment in a car. The fuel cap was located underneath the (hinged) seat, which saved the cost of an additional lock on the fuel cap or need for additional metal work on the smooth skin.

The scooter had rigid rear suspension and small 8-inch wheels that allowed a compact design and plenty of room for the rider's legs. The Vespa's enclosed, horizontally mounted 2-stroke 98cc engine acted directly on the rear drive wheel through a three-speed transmission. The twistgrip-controlled gear change involved a system of rods. The early engine had no cooling, but a blower was soon attached to the transmission to push air over the cylinder's cooling fins (the modern Vespa engine is still cooled this way). The mixture of oil in the fuel produced high amounts of smoke, and a high buzzing sound like a wasp - hence the name!

The name Vespa

"Sembra una vespa!" ("It looks like a wasp!") exclaimed Piaggio president Enrico Piaggio when he first laid eyes on what would become the most successful scooter of all time. The year was 1946, and the name stuck [1]

Vespa is both Latin and Italian for wasp - derived from both the high pitch noice of the twostroke engine, and adopted as a name for the vehicle in reference to its body shape: thicker rear part connected to the front part by a narrow waist, and the steering rod as the antennae

Launch

Piaggio filed a patent for the Vespa scooter design in April 1946. The application documents referred to a "model of a practical nature" for a "motorcycle with rationally placed parts and elements with a frame combining with mudguards and engine-cowling covering all working parts", of which "the whole constitutes a rational, comfortable motorcycle offering protection from mud and dust without jeopardizing requirements of appearance and elegance". The patent was approved the following December.

The first 13 examples appeared in Spring 1946, and reveal their aero background. In the first exemples, one can recognize the typical aircraft technology: moulded steel sheets riveted at the edges; the front wheel with lamp was actually a landing gear with fork on only one side; and the engine was derived from a starter of an airplane engine and was also used to get the landing gear wheels moving (thus the term "hit the ground running" so that the tires would not blow out upon landing as was the risk with non-moving tires). Attention to aerodynamics is evident in all the design, in particular on the tail. It was also one of the first automobiles to use monocoque construction (where the body is an integral part of the chassis).

The company was aiming to manufacture the new Vespa in large numbers, and their longstanding industrial experience led to an efficient Ford-style production line. The scooter was presented to the press at Rome Golf Club, where journalists were apparently mystified by the strange, pastel coloured, toy-like object on display. But the road tests were encouraging and even with no rear suspension the machine was more manoeuverable and comfortable to ride than a motor cycle.

Following its public debut at the 1946 Milan Fair, the first fifty sold slowly - then with the introduction of payment by installments, sales took off

Sales and development

Piaggi sold some 2,500 Vespas in 1947; over 10,000 in 1948; 20,000 in 1949; and over 60,000 in 1950 [2]

But the biggest sales promo ever was Hollywood. In 1952, Audrey Hepburn side-sadled Gregory Peck's Vespa in the film Roman Holiday, for a ride through Rome's byways - resulting in over 100,000 sales. In 1956, John Wayne dismounted his horse in favor of the two-wheeler - to get between takes on sets. By the end of the fifties, Lucia Bosé and her husband, the matador Dominguin, as well as Marlon Brando and the entertainer Abbe Lane had become Vespa owners. William Wyler filmed Ben Hur in Rome in 1959, allowing Charlton Heston to abandoned horse and chariot between takes to take a spin on the Vespa [3]

Vespa clubs popped up throughout Europe and by 1952, worldwide Vespa Club membership had surpassed 50,000. By the mid-1950's, Vespa's were being manufactured under licence in Germany, Great Britain, France, Belgium and Spain; and in the 1960's, production was started in India, Brazil and Indonesia. By 1956 one million had been sold, then two million by 1960. By the 1960s, the Vespa - originally conceived as a utility vehicle - had come to symbolize freedom and imagination, and resulted in further sales boosts: four million by 1970, and ten million by the late 1980s.

Improvements were made to the original design and new models were introduced. The 1948 Vespa 125 had rear suspension and a bigger engine. The headlamp was moved up to the handlebars in 1953, and had more engine power and a restyled rear fairing. A cheaper spartan version was also available. One of the best-loved models was the Vespa 150 GS introduced in 1955 with a 150cc engine, a long saddle, and the faired handlebar-headlamp unit. Then came the the 50cc of 1963, and in 1968 Vespa 125 Primavera became one of the most durable of all.

This was replaced by the PX, born in 1978, which is still produced today in the classic 125, 150 versions. The PX came in two sizes, referred to as "large frame" and "small frame," despite the fact that their molded steel bodies eliminated the need for a conventional tube style motorcycle frame. If you bought a Vespa with 8inch wheels (not the stock 10inch x 3.5inch wheels) or a 50cc, 90cc, and some 125cc Vespas with 3" x 10" wheels would be a small frame weighing less than 190lbs; while large engine models having 3.5" x 10" wheels like the Vespa Rally 180, P-series, were large frames weighing in the 240lb range. The small frames were very popular in Japan

The 1990's and beyond

But by the late 1980's, Vespa was in crisis. Its models were slowly selling, two-strokes were being withdrawn around the world due to environmental concerns, new Asian manufacturers were stealing market share with cheaper plastic bikes, and cars were very cheap. Resultantly, sales had fallen and production in Europe had been pulled back to Italy. Vespa needed a miracle - and a new model, beyond the PX.

The ET model range stuck true to the wasp/aero design principles. It was lighter, more aero dynamic, had an automatic gearbox and could take a series of engines from a 50cc in either two of four stroke, up to a 150cc four stroke [4] Plus, it was launched when traffic congestion in major European cities was on the increase - so the smaller wheel size didn't matter. It was a complete success, and allowed Vespa to re-enter the North American market in 2001 with a new, more modern style.

In 2003, the growth in the US market meant the need for larger engines, and so Vespa developed the LEADER series of four stroke engines. With capacities up to 250cc, and the GranTourisimo series frame to handle the additional power and new 12inch wheels over the ET's 10inch. The bike in 2005 spawned a GT250ie version, with a fuel injected engine - easily capable of 80mph. In 2004, the ET was withdrawn from Europe and North America, replaced by the GT derived LX range with the same variants of LEADER engine; and in the same year, the PX was re-introduced to North America to meet classic market demand, equipped with a 150cc LEADER

Design Icon

The Vespa is recognized as the epitome of Italian design and with its elegant lines and classic aesthetics. There is a dramatic increase in the number of urban commuters who have purchased new or restored Vespas. The difficulty of parking cars and the Vespa's low running costs are two reasons for this upswing in Vespa (and other scooter) popularity. The cultural use of the scooter as a recreational vehicle with a sub-culture following in the USA/Canada and parts of Europe & Japan. In contrast, the Vespa is considered a utilitarian vehicle for hauling products and sometimes up to 5 family members in much of Asia and Mexico

Vespa enthusiasts can visit the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, near Pisa, Tuscany, where the exhibition which toured prestigious venues such as the Guggenheim in New York and the Pompidou Centre, Paris can be viewed. Returning with the most famous Vespa of them all - the one customised by Salvador Dalí in 1962

Global Markets

Europe

Vespa's largest market by all measures globally is still Italy, but as a result of the Mod's youth revolution of the 1960's, the UK is still Vespa's second largest global market - and at one point in the sxities, it's largest.

The appeal of the Vespa to the style concious Mod's was the weather protection - as opposed to their counterparts the Rockers, who rode classic British oily twins like Triumphs and BSA's, and need to dress up in leather aginst both the elemnts and their oily bikes.

Mod's would modify their Vespa's, particularly adding many mirrors. The whole phenomenan was summed up in the film Quadrophenia, based on The Who album of the same name.

The dominace of the Vespa continued through the 70's, as a work horse to get people to work. However, the lack of development cost Vespa, and like other markets the sales fell off drastically in the boom 1980's. Then Vespa introduced the trendy ET2, and London the congestion charge - and suddenly sales leapt.

North America

Vespa also made scooters for Sears and Cushman. The Sears models were 3 and 4 speed 125 cc Vespas rebadged as Sears Allstate Cruiseaires. Innocenti also distributed their Lambretta brand via Montgomery Wards catalogue at this post WWII period. These were the premier brands of scooters bringing premium pricing to many including Farmers whos link to the outside world was via purchases made in these catalogues. Cushman sold rebadged Vespa scooters as Cushmans, but many Cushman dealers refused to market a "foreign" machine. However, collectors prize the Cushman Vespa because it is relatively rare.

Increasing environmental restrictions compelled Piaggio to pull out of the US market in 1985, due to their reliance at the time on two stroke engines.

Vespas would have completely disappeared from the American scene if it weren't for the enthusiasts who kept the vintage scooters on the road by rebuilding, restoring, and adding performance enhancing engine parts as the stock parts would wear out.

Bangkok: Vespa in transport business

Vespa returned to the US market in 2001 with a new, more modern style ET series, in 50cc two and four stroke, and 150cc four stroke. In light of vastly increasing US sales, Vespa developed the GT, offered in both 125cc and 200cc four stroke variants. In 2004 Vespa reintroduced a modernized PX 150.

Rest of world

Vespas acquired popularity beyond Europe and North America. In India, Piaggio transferred Vespa technology to Bajaj Auto, which continues to make scooters derived from Vespas of the 1960's. Bajaj used to sell in North America in the early 1980's but later withdrew from the market, owing both to the aforementioned environmental constraints, and patent infringement accusations from Piaggio. Bajaj Four stroke scooters are back in the North American market, though most of the Vespa pedigree has been engineered away (other than the body shape).

Another Vespa clone producer in India is LML Motors. They were a large Piaggo parts provider and licensed to manufacture for the P series of Vespa scooters to the Asian markets. LML has been manufacturing the "Stella" range of Vespa P series clones using their Piaggo/Vespa molds and machinery, that are sold in the USA through Genuine Scooter Company of Chicago. A factory employee lock out started at LML in March, 2006 and continues at this writing at the end of May, 2006. The advent of the 2006 summer rally combined with Amerivespa, born out the Stellabration coinciding rally in Denver the summer of 2006. Along side with the Lambretta rally "Lammy Jammy" at this same venue and time.

Racing

At one time in the 50's and 60's the Vespa and Lambretta scooters were not only competitive with motorcycles of the day but often the scooters would win the race. In the mid 60's motorcycle engines became larger and faster and the gap was created along with varying cc classifications. Vespa and Lambretta racing is alive still today on paved go kart racing tracks more often in California, parts of the North Eastern USA and South Eastern coast and Denver

Models

A Vespa dealership in San Francisco
Historic models made by Vespa
  • VLC Super 150
  • VLB Sprint 150
  • VBB Standard 150
  • VNA
  • GS 150
  • SS180
  • GS160
  • Standard 90 (3 spd)
  • Standard 50 (3 spd)
  • SS50 (4 spd)
  • SS90 (4 spd)-90 SS Super Sprint
  • GT grand tourismo 160?
  • 150 GL
  • 90 Racer
  • 125 TS
  • 100 Sport
  • 125 GTR
  • 150 Sprint Veloce
  • 180 SS Super Sport
  • Rally 180
  • Rally 200
  • Primavera 125 also ET3 (3 port version)
  • PK 50
  • 50 S
  • 50 Special
  • 50 Special Elestart
  • 50 Sprinter / 50 SR (D)
  • 50 Revival
  • COSA 1 - 125cc, 150cc, 200cc
  • COSA 2 - 125cc, 150cc, 200cc
  • P80 / P80 E (Frankreich)
  • P80X/PX80 E
  • PK 80 S / Elestart
  • PK 80 S Automatica / Elestart
  • PK100 S / Elestart
  • PK100 S Automatica
  • PK100 XL
  • PK125 XL / Elestart
  • PK 125 S
  • PK 125 E
  • PK 125 automatica (automatic tranny)
  • P 125 E
  • P200E
  • PX200 E `98 / Millenium
  • T5 / Elestart (5 port engine P series)
  • T5 Classic



Recent models made by Vespa
  • ET2 50
  • ET4 150 (US model)
  • ET4 125 (Euro Model)
Current models being offerred include
  • LX 50
  • LX 125
  • LX 150
  • GT 125
  • GT 200
  • GTS 250 (a Lambretta made in India is slated to use this same engine in 2006-07)
  • PX 125
  • PX 150 (reintroduced to US Market in 2004)

Vespa Owners

Real people

Fictional people

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vespa_scooter.
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