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Vespa Scooters and Their History

Vespa an italian built scooter manufactured by Piaggio. If you have ever seen any older European movies from the 60′s I guarantee that you have seen when of these creations. Over the years Vespa’s have evolved from single model scooters to a full line of scooters that will satisfy even the most picky consumer.

Vespa’s have been a hit since the first one rolled off the assembly line. But now they are mostly known for the painted, pressed steel unibody that houses the complete engine compartment. The flatboard to keep your feet and a prominent front fairing (mainly used for wind protection).

In the 1940′s the Vespa was used primarily for troops in World War II. The United States enjoyed these scooters because they were helpful in getting around Nazi defense tactics of destroying roads and bridges in the Dolomites (a section of the Alps) and the Austrian border areas.

With today´s gas prices it is no wonder why Vespa scooters are so popular after so many years of service. Suburbanites are looking for something different to entertain their weekends and for commuters who are tired of filling their gas guzzling vehicles. Over the years though Vespas started to pass away from american society, but fast forward to this day and time. Outfitted with two new models that are environmentally friendly and fuel efficient the Piaggio built Vespa returned to the United States in the year 2000. The ET2 model replaced the usual mineral oil with synthetic oil which meant they emitted less smoke while driving. This model can reach 40 mph and can get up to 60 miles to the gallon.

The company has also released a version of the Vespa that is a hybrid gas/electric for even for fuel economy. They also introduced a scooter with two wheels in front and one in back which grips the road better. This version of the scooter has taken off and is now being copied by motorcycle makers alike.

2008 Vespa S 150 Scooter Review Read the full scooter review at Motorcycle.com www.motorcycle.com Sweaty Palms, heavy breathing and a tingling sensation in the pants all symptoms of the new Vespa S. There’s something about this tiny scooter that really sets it apart from the rest. Sure, its a Vespa so you’d expect it to be visually appealing, but this is different. What sets her apart is the fact that it was designed to evoke not just the classic Vespa style, but more precisely a specific model; the Vespa Special 50.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Vespa Scooter Longings

One of the most enduring scenes in cinema is in the classic film Roman Holiday. The film starred the immortal and ever beautiful Audrey Hepburn (Oh how I love her!) and the talented Gregory Peck. Hepburn played a princess who was visiting Rome for a state visit. Tired of her strictly regimented life, she escaped the confines of her embassy, disguised herself as a commoner and began touring the streets of Rome. There she met Gregory Peck who played an American correspondent in Italy. The movie was basically a sight-seeing tour of the streets and Rome, but it is very memorable because they both toured the scenic spots in a Vespa scooter.

This singular scene catapulted the Vespa as a cultural icon. Though the movie was not really what you call a happy ending for they both did not end up with each other (oops sorry for ruining the plot to those who have not seen it), generations of girls dream of becoming Audrey Hepburn being swept away by their own Gregory Peck driving into the sunset in their very own Vespa.

Vespa scooters have their cult following. Like the Volkswagen or the Mini Cooper, Vespas are liked because of their unique (some consider cute as the more appropriate description) design. Vespa’s design was derived from wasps hence the name. As a matter of fact, wasp if translated into Italian is called vespa. The Vespa was first made after world war two and since then its design saw little deviations. Scooters are perfect for the old narrow and cobbled Roman streets. It reflects the olden times when people are gentler, the days seemed slower and the air was full of romanticism. From those famed cobbled streets Vespa spread throughout the world. Perhaps because this little mode of transportation is perfect for weaving in and out in today’s heavily congested roads or perhaps Italians are really talented designers of vehicles. (I am sure most of you will agree with me on this point. I have yet to meet somebody who finds the highly desirable and exotic Ferrari sports cars as ugly.)

Ever since I had seen a Vespa in Roman Holiday, I always wanted to buy one for myself. There were only two problems that presented themselves to me. First, there is no Vespa being sold in our region and second, even if there are Vespas in our island, I cannot afford one. The closest things that resemble a Vespa in our place are the delivery scooters of Yellow Cab Pizza. I even joked to my cousin that we should steal one, remove the delivery compartment at the back and repaint it with any color not yellow. I would even dream of accessorizing them with parts from scooter, but of course I know that all this will just be a dream to me. Maybe in my mind’s eye, I see myself also driving a Vespa, sweeping my own Audrey Hepburn off her feet and we will both ride off into the sunset.

www.jaredfosterfilms.com In October of 2000 my wife and I took a tour of the Vespa Museum in Pontedera, Italy. Here you will see early prototype Vespa scooters as well as classics like the Vespa GS and 90SS. If you ever go to Italy and are near Pisa be sure to go see this excellent Museum! Filmed and Edited by Jared Foster Music by Belle & Sebastian Stephen Trask
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Related Vespa Articles

Take Care, Vespa Riders

For the second time in about a week, scooter safety became an issue on Bay State roads. A woman riding her Vespa was killed after a collision with a car in Newton. The Middlesex D.A.’s office confirmed the victim was female and is investigating the accident. Last week, a woman riding her Vespa was attacked in Brookline . Be careful, Vespa people. [ Boston.com ]
Read more on Bostonist

Woman On Vespa Dies In Car Crash

A woman died Thursday afternoon after Newton police say her Vespa collided with a car on Ward Street.
Read more on WCVB Boston

Collision with car kills female Vespa driver in Newton

A woman died after her Vespa and a car collided on Ward Street this afternoon, according to police.
Read more on Newton Tab

Vespa Scooters-A Greener Alternative to the Rolls Royce

Vespa scooters possess an air of elegance and stylish design not usually associated with motor bikes/scooters.

Built with the typical Italian eye for design, Vespa scooters rolled off the production line in the 1940′s as an alternative to the motor bike. The Vespa had it’s main mechanical parts shielded from the rider by a metal casing. This allowed the rider to enjoy a dirt free ride and proved to be very popular in Italy where Italians always have a desire to look elegant and stylish under any circumstances.

As a consequence, Italians were able to zip round post war Italy on their Vespa scooters smartly dressed and probably wearing their Raybans with a cigarette hanging from the corner of their mouths.

The “Vespa look” was tailor made for the silver screen and before too long the Vespa started appearing in Italian movies such as Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

Hollywood soon followed and Vespa scooters appeared in a number of high profile movies such as An American in Paris, The Conversation and American Graffiti. The Vespa played a prominent role in the British movie Quadrophenia which sparked a new craze for the Vespa in the U.K.

Many of the world’s top movie stars rode around on Vespa scooters. Charlie Chaplin, Ursula Andress and Louis Armstrong all owned a Vespa. More recently the Vespa is favoured by Jamie Oliver, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke was even arrested for drink driving whilst on his Vespa !

2008 is proving to be a particularly successful year for Vespa scooters as it benefits from the rising popularity of scooters across the globe. Scooters are far more economical than cars, able to deliver between 70 – 120 miles to the gallon (an average family car would probably reach 40 miles to the gallon) ! In today’s climate of volatile oil prices then it’s not difficult to see why scooters are considered the greener alternative for the city commuter.

In London, scooters are also exempt from the congestion charge and cost less to put on the road than motor cars. If you work in the city then a scooter could be the answer to your commuting problems.

And with inner city driving then a scooter is an ideal way to get to work. No more wasted hours queuing in traffic jams and that wonderful feeling of satisfaction as you overtake all the standing cars to get to the front of the traffic queue.

The smaller sized Vespa’s come in 50 cc and 125 cc categories and the minimum age to ride one is 16 years old and 17 years old respectively.

Anything above that and you are looking at a “motorcycle class” licence i.e. 150 cc upwards. Unlike 50 cc scooters which are factory restricted to a top speed of 30 miles per hour the more powerful scooters such as a 150 cc or a 250 cc perform at the same levels as a motorbike.

With motorists being taxed off the road in recent years then a scooter makes a very sensible alternative even if only used for commuting. If you are tempted with scooters then Vespas are believed to be the “Rolls Royce” of scooters and with Vespa accessories such as goggles and Vespa style open faced helmets on the market you will also be the coolest cat in town.