Piaggio Vespa: English books - history and technology

Vespa 75 Years - The Complete History (Updated Edition)

April 1946: the first 15 examples of the Vespa leave the Piaggio factory.
This was the beginning of a unique and unrepeatable story, that of a revolutionary two-wheeled vehicle that as well as leaving an indelible trace in the history of transportation, has become an authentic cult object for every generation that followed. Simple elegant forms, practicality and riding comfort were just a few of the qualities that brought the popular scooter success on a global level.

75 years on from the first Vespa, this book - an updated version of the first part only, the historical one, of the successful "Vespa 70 Years", traces decade by decade the technical and stylistic evolution of this timeless icon. All this without losing sight of aspects associated with communications - ever a strong suit of the Pontedera group - and the ever-increasing interest of collectors.

Vespa: All the Models

The most comprehensive and up-to-date catalogue of the Vespa ever compiled, featuring all the models and versions produced to date, listed year by year through a series of files illustrated with invaluable archive materials and accompanied by detailed technical information.
An overview unique in its completeness and wealth of data, a resource of particular interest to those who still ride Vespas today, to collectors and to all those who have a place in their heart for the Vespa.

The celebrated scooter born at Pontedera in the immediate post-war years inaugurated a new era of personal mobility, taking on diverse roles with the passing of the years: from a vehicle for out-of-town trips to a symbol of aggregations, from an emblem of freedom to a design icon, from the queen of calendars to a star of competition, without ever losing sight of its primary function, that of the "urban" vehicle par excellence.
Over the course of the years, Piaggio has produced dozens of models, from the overtly utilitarian to the most sporting and through to the Vespa Elettrica of today.

Vespa - Style and Passion

Introduced by the Italian firm Piaggio in 1946 with the model 98, Vespa enjoyed quick success. The scooters' diminutive size and affordability were perfect for promoting postwar mobility. But as with most novel designs, it would also be highly imitated, destined for icon status.

From Piaggio's origins to the first Vespa prototypes to today's forward-looking Elettrica model, "Vespa: Style and Passion" is the ultimate retrospective of this beloved brand. A rich selection of visuals includes dozens of studio images of the most significant models from throughout Vespa history - including classics like the 125, 150 GS, Super Sprint, Primavera, and Rally - as well as period advertisements, rare archival photographs, and images of Vespas in popular culture and motorsport.
Mod culture, perhaps most responsible for spreading scooter culture, is also given its due with images of customized Vespas.

The Life Vespa

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.

Vespa - Italian Street Style

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.