Discover the history of Vespa
CREATION
The history of vespa dates back to the end of the World War II. Piaggio, who manufactured the Italian brand of scooter in 1946, was originally a manufacturer of warplanes.
The latter, however, were no longer allowed to be producted after the war because of Italy's collaboration with the Germans.
As a result, Piaggio's management team redirected manufacturing efforts on the now-famous scooters.
The history of vespa dates back to the end of the World War II. Piaggio, who manufactured the Italian brand of scooter in 1946, was originally a manufacturer of warplanes.
The latter, however, were no longer allowed to be producted after the war because of Italy's collaboration with the Germans.
As a result, Piaggio's management team redirected manufacturing efforts on the now-famous scooters.
NAME
Upon seeing the MP6 for the first time, Enrico Piaggio, the son of Piaggio's founder Rinaldo Piaggio, exclaimed: "Sembra una vespa!" which means "It looks like a wasp!"
Piaggio effectively named his new scooter on the spot.
Vespa is both Latin and Italian for wasp—derived from the vehicle's body shape:
the thicker rear part connected to the front part by a narrow waist, and the steering rod resembled antennae.
CINEMA
In 1953, the release of the Audrey Hepburn movie Roman Holiday - which features the scooter in a prominent role - put the vespa on the path of today's cult status.
Over the last six decades, many actors and actresses sat on the vespa in myriad films, comedies, dramas, action movies.
VALUE
As is the case with some cars, Vespa scooters have become increasingly valuable over time.
A Vespa scooter from the 1970s, for example, can be worth five times as much as its original retail price.
The older the Vespa, the more valuable it is.
"Today, after more than sixty years, the vespa is the worldwide symbol of Italian creativity and a unique example of 'immortality' in the history of industrial design," wrote Piaggio Group Chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno.
As is the case with some cars, Vespa scooters have become increasingly valuable over time.
A Vespa scooter from the 1970s, for example, can be worth five times as much as its original retail price.
The older the Vespa, the more valuable it is.
"Today, after more than sixty years, the vespa is the worldwide symbol of Italian creativity and a unique example of 'immortality' in the history of industrial design," wrote Piaggio Group Chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno.
