The History Of The Vespa

Despite the symbolic capital and the global commercial success of the Vespa scooter, there is no academic book dealing with its history, only literature produced by the company itself or by scooter enthusiasts. The origins of the Vespa are shrouded in mist, entrusted more to myth than to historical truth. Based on lengthy research carried out in Piaggio’s historical archives and on an interdisciplinary approach, this volume aims to fill this gap. It shows how the Vespa took techniques from the most advanced aeronautical industries in the world, adapting and hybridizing them in an original way, and how the company disseminated its models in the transnational social space.

April 1946 was the debut date of the revolutionary little two-wheel vehicle, which, as well as leaving an indelible mark on the history of transport, became a real cultural phenomenon to successive generations. Simple and elegant, practical and comfortable, these are some of the characteristics that have ensured the popular scooter an unrepeatable success, with 35,000 of them built in 1949 alone. Sixty-five years after its birth, the Vespa, of which over 17 million have been produced, has affirmed itself throughout the world. This book covers the fascinating epic of the Vespa, from its debut to the present day, through hundreds of pictures and invaluable documents of its various epochs.

This appealingly quirky book captures the personality, individuality and style of the world of Vespa through an eye-catching array of period photographs, including Vespa’s imaginative promotional material. Celebrities and girls seem ever-present through the pages, but there is plenty of technical interest to satisfy mechanically minded Vespa enthusiasts. First published in 1993, the 2nd edition includes celebrity and quirky photos alongside the more standard shots illustrating model evolution.

The Vespa's history is a fascinating and varied one. The scooter has stamped it's mark on an entire epoch. For almost 60 years, the Vespa has fascinated millions, giving the world a unique image of Italian design and remaining the means of transport most synonymous with freedom. Produced in 1946, the first Vespa offered mobility to everyone. Italy was getting over its war wounds and getting about on a scooter. During the "Dolce Vita" years, "Vespa" meant "scooter"; foreign newspaper correspondents described Italy as "Vespa country", and the role Vespa played in Italian society is shown by its appearance in dozens of films. Then, it became the two-wheeler for the time of the economic boom. And during the 1960s and 1970s, it was the vehicle for the propagation of the revolution of ideas that the kids of those years were establishing. Now the Vespa provides the perfect solution to today's congested cities. Spanning 336 pages and featuring over 300 original photographs, many rare and unseen, Vespa, delves into the facets of the famous brand from its innovative technical and stylistic design to its freedom-inspired customers. Divided into 6 chapters, each chapter details not only the evolution of the company and the development of the models but also the impact Vespa has had on the worldwide culture. The book is packed with unusual photographs from the Vespa archives, featuring all the models, famous faces, races and much more.

Stop! Don't buy a classic Vespa without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Learn how to spot a bad scooter quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right classic Vespa at the right price!

The Vespa is an Italian icon--and here is the official story of the brand since its legendary creation, more than 70 years ago. The Vespa is not just any scooter, it is THE scooter, known and loved all over the world. Follow its more-than-70-year history, from its debut in 1946 to signature, custom-made artistic vehicles. This lavishly illustrated volume retraces the Vespa's origins, exploring its most important and influential models (including the 125 Elastico, which met clients' demands for higher performance, and the Elettrica and Elettrica X, both with hybrid motors); the brand's advertising and communications, complete with vintage calendars; and its place in sports, films like Roman Holiday, fashion, and beyond. Engaging anecdotes and images--some never-before published--illustrate the never-ending evolution of a piece of Italy that has conquered all five continents and sold over 18 million vehicles.

Since hitting the road in 1946, eighteen million Vespa motor scooters have buzzed the Earth. Vespa's success lies in the uniqueness of its design -- in the unmistakable sheet metal skin that, over the span of decades, has defined the concept of "motor scooter." The Life Vespa celebrates all aspects of the scooters and the thriving culture that surrounds them. Since Vespa is affordable and in high-style, the life Vespa encompasses all walks of life, from street urchins to celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne, and Brad Pitt. Part of Motorbooks’ “Life” series, The Life Vespa melds machine and culture to immerse you in la bella vita.

Despite the symbolic capital and the global commercial success of the Vespa scooter, there is no academic book dealing with its history, only literature produced by the company itself or by scooter enthusiasts. The origins of the Vespa are shrouded in mist, entrusted more to myth than to historical truth. Based on lengthy research carried out in Piaggio's historical archives and on an interdisciplinary approach, this volume aims to fill this gap. It shows how the Vespa took techniques from the most advanced aeronautical industries in the world, adapting and hybridizing them in an original way, and how the company disseminated its models in the transnational social space.