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The Piaggio Company was started in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio. Initially main business was the interior fitting of luxury yachts. The company soon branched out into coach building, engine building and train construction.
Throughout world war one and world war 2 the company produced complete aircraft for the war effort. At the end of the second world war Italy as a country and Piaggio as a company were in literal ruins. Enrico the son of company founder Rinaldo had by this stage taken over the company. There was a huge need for affordable mobility for the Italian population. Many roads were severely damaged by the war- meaning two wheels was the preferred choice. The first Vespa was designed by D’Ascanio- his design brief “A simple, sturdy, economical vehicle which had to be comfortable and stylish and capable of carrying two adults” The word vespa is the Italian word for Wasp. Was this due to the shape of the first vespa? Or the wasp like noise the little scooters made as they buzzed around? From the day the first one rolled off the production line- the vespa was a hit. Within 3 years more than 30,000 had been built. Within 10 years more than 1 million were buzzing around worldwide.
Unlike most vehicle manufacturers, Piaggio has gently morphed the Vespa from the first scooter to todays models. Each new model is a natural evolution of the last. The styling changed slowly but in keeping with the fashion of its day. The development and technology of the times slowly introduced to the new sibling. The wonderful vespa Family- Inspiration for generations!
To see all the vespa models please take a look
at this website-
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