This poplar and chic scooter revolutionised the world of mobility and design and has stood the test of time.
The fact that it favours leisurely journeys for two over speed and opts for soft lines over aggressive design contributes to its unassailable position at the top. And now somehow the Vespa, a symbol of post-war Italy, is merrily scooting towards its 80th birthday.
Legend has it that this scooter was named after the soft hum of its engine, which one day led its creator, Enrico Piaggio, to utter the words, “Una vespa!” which literally means “a wasp!” in Italian. Others say that its name derives from its slender silhouette, this “wasp-like figure” that lends the Vespa its truly unique and elegant style.
The first prototypes went into production when their creator – who had previously worked as an aero-engineer in the aircraft industry – changed career in 1946. As a result of his initial experience in this sector, he paid particularly close attention to the Vespa’s aerodynamics and thus to its timeless design.
Modern transport
At the time, the Vespa was a mini revolution on the world of transport. Urban, lightweight, agile and accessible to all thanks to its handlebar-mounted controls, this was the first two-wheeler allowing women – and priests! – to get from A to B without riders having to adopt a seating position that may offend the sensibilities of a highly respectful Italian society.
On the Vespa, the classic front forks of a motorbike were replaced by a single-arm front suspension, making repairs significantly less complicated in the event of breakdowns. Its frame was also replaced by step-through bodywork geared towards protecting the rider and keeping their clothes free of dirt, oil and grease. This made it less sporty in shape but easier to access, allowing the Vespa to quickly establish itself among all strata of Italian society.
The Vespa, a cinema character
Yet it was the simultaneous development of Italian cinema and the legendary Cinecittà film studios in Rome which would give this two-wheeler its international appeal. On the poster for the film Roman Holiday, released in 1953 and featuring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck buzzing around the Colosseum on their Vespa, it wasn’t long before it became the global symbol of the dolce vita.
The film took home three Oscars and Enrico Piaggio raked in the lira. Almost 20 million Vespas have been sold around the world since it s launch. Far from falling out of fashion, today it remains a powerful symbol of cinema iconography. It starred alongside Nanni Moretti’s introspections in the opening sequence of Dear Diary (1993), and transported both Romain Duris through Paris in Russian Dolls (2002) as well as couple Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr Ripley (1999).
Ever stylish and popular, Vespas for the European market are still manufactured in Tuscany’s historic Pontedera factory to this day. The brand remains at the forefront of popular culture, with an increasing number of collaborations for its limited editions (Giorgio Armani, Dior, Justin Bieber, etc.). Glamour forever!
