Vespa is an Italian luxury brand of scooter that has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. of Pontedera, Italy to a full line of scooters and one of seven companies today owned by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian.
From their inception, Vespa scooters have been known for their painted, pressed steel unibody which combines, in a unified structural unit, a complete cowling for the engine (enclosing the engine mechanism and concealing dirt or grease), a flat floorboard (providing foot protection), and a prominent front fairing (providing wind protection).
The economy in Italy was left crippled after WWII and the roads were in a disastrous state which made it difficult for the automobile and other manufacturers to reemerge. The Piaggio family, who was involved in the aerospace industry, decided to find a way to reinvent their business by addressing Italy’s need for a modern and affordable mode of transportation for the masses. 2nd generation Enrico Piaggio had an idea for a 2 wheeled vehicle that would be inexpensive to produce and reliable, and perfect for struggling Italians who still needed a way to get around. The new Vespa scooter took off like wildfire across Europe. In 1956, only 11 years after it was created, Piaggio sold its 1 millionth Vespa. A Vespa culture had emerged. Not only was it a source of transportation but a hobby.
The biggest change in modern Vespa is that they all use four-stroke engines now so the classic sound and smell have been lost. Engine capacity has also grown in many modern models (at 300cc, the latest GTS is twice the size of the 1960 GT150) and it goes without saying that modern brakes and suspension components are far superior to those used in the early years. But the one constant is the styling – modern Vespa retains a respect for their heritage and all bear a family resemblance that’s totally distinct to the brand.