The Vespa was created Piaggio & Co. in 1946.
Piaggio sold about 2,500 Vespas in 1947, over 10,000 in 1948, 20,000 in 1949, and over 60,000 in 1950."
But not until the classic film "Roman Holiday" came out in 1952 did the Vespa garner full mainstream attention. Due to the unforgettable scene in that movie when Gregory Peck takes Audrey Hepburn on a beautiful ride through Rome on a Vespa, sales skyrocketed to over 100,000. There was no looking back after that.
The Vespa was really at the heights of its popularity in Europe in the 1950s & 1960s. To many, it is the foremost icon for the mod movement for the British youth of that time. The fashionable yet intellectual style of the Vespa matched the attitudes of that English generation. The Vespa would cement its legacy for the mods in the 70s where it would be seen on the cover of the classic album "Quadrophenia" by mod favorites "The Who".
Due to its massive appeal, Piaggio decided to start branching out and give the Vespa some new looks and specs in the 1960s. The Vespa would be categorized in two separate categories: "largeframe" and "smallframe". The "smallframe" consisted of scooters which had 50cc, 90cc, and 125cc engines. The "largeframe" consisted of scooters which had 125cc, 150cc, 160cc, 180cc, and 200cc engines.
Ever since the Vespa came out in 1946 it has been the epitome of Italian and Mediterranean cool. Its original and current design allows it to distinguish itself from the boring ho-hum style of traditional motorcycles and scooters. The Vespa represents to many the classic sophisticated attitude of a Rolls Royce with handlebars.
Its original design was the complete antithesis of what had been done prior to its inception. The designer decided to create a stress-bearing body and direct mesh which eliminated the drive chain and would protect the driver from getting messy or scruffy. In a nutshell, it was made to let the driver feel more comfortable while riding.
The Vespa has a trademark single shell which provides firmness for the finest comfort and strength to control road vibration. All Vespas feature single steel chassis.
The popularity of Vespas slowly started to diminish during the 70s and 80s. It came into a grinding halt by the 90s. In 1992, only 800 Vespas were sold.
By 2003, the company was supported with an initial investment of 100 million euros by the very rich Roberto Colaninno. By 2004 Vespas were groundbreaking once again. They created the first ever gas-electric hybrid scooter and a scooter with two wheels in the front and one wheel on the back for an even easier way to handle the road.
The Vespa now is more than just a little scooter that can be taken for a scenic view around town. There are Vespas with 250cc engines that can reach speeds of 75+ MPH. This is not your granddaddy's Vespa.
With the ever growing world awareness of oil and energy conservation, Vespas not only make a fashionable statement but an environmental one as well. The majority of Vespas are able give their owners at least 60 miles to the gallon.
Due to these and many other reasons, Vespas have become popular once again. Not just in Europe, but in the United States, Vespas are now the leader of the scooter and moped market. Taking a ride down South Beach in Miami you'd think you were riding along the Italian coastline, with all the Vespas in the scenery.
Jon Ferraro owns and operates http://www.vespabid.com
Source: www.articlesbase.com
