[anjan_c2007]

The first Vespa (from Italian word for Wasp) was designed by Signor Corradino D'Ascanio for manufacture by Signor Enrico Piaggio in 1945. The design was simple and had its origins from two stroke motorbikes which beacme scooters thereafter! The post WWII hangover and the necessity to have something like a scooter were conducive factors to make scooters take shape and go out to the markets only to sell well and become popular as a low cost reliable, commuting vehicle for personal transport of the Italians firstly to become popular all over the world.It had a monococque chassis structure much like the Citreon Traction Avant which was one of the first cars that too had this kind of body structural design.
Vespas added many features to the original design by the 1960's making them popular as the Vespa Nuovo Linea Series. In 1960 Bajaj Auto colloborated with Piaggio and the Vespa GL 150 was ushered in into our market.LML came into the Indian market with a bang in 1983, with the Vespa XE a 100 cc scooter.And not to be left out Andhra Pradesh Scooters Ltd (makers of the Allwyn Pushpak) launched the 100 cc Vespa PL 170. The rest is history.
So Vespas have been another name for scooters in India too.
many of us have learnt driving the two wheeler with some variant of the Vespa.








(pictures are from Vespa's publicity brochure of the 1980's)
Lets share pictures and experiences with Vespas here!

[SS-Traveller]

Great initiative, Anjan! I've been emotionally attached to my 1986 LML Vespa 150 DZ for the last 23 years, and though I have not ridden it for some while, it will not part company with me till I part company with the world.

It has a signature blue-and-gold paintwork over a zinc metallized body, tailormade side stand, a special Calcutta number (tough to get in those days), and over 90k genuine km on the odo.

Take a look, but ignore the dust! Your thread just might be the inspiration for me to do it up again...

[anjan_c2007]

Thanks SS Traveller. Though we may love our brand new Scorpios, we cannot forget the roots.True please bring back your Vespa to its glory.

Also please see this link: Vespa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
More pictures
All pictures from Wikipedia:

The original Vespa logo

This is a Vespa 150 TAP modified by the French Military being fitted with an anti tank
weapon

Vespa Sidecar

1963 VBB Standard 150

1969 Vespa Rally 180

A beast of burden in Bangkok

T5 Millenium PX Series

Vespa Dealership, San Francisco

Classic Vespas in Perth Australia

[anjan_c2007]

The Hollywood flick of the 1950's "Roman Holiday" (B & W) wherein Audrey Hepburn is seated as pillion with Gregory Peck while moving around through the streets of Rome in a classic Vespa DL 125 of 1950, was a rage.

[veldeep]

Here is some photos of vespa with sidecar

[predatorwheelz]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

The Hollywood flick of the 1950's "Roman Holiday" (B & W) wherein Audrey Hepburn is seated as pillion with Gregory Peck while moving around through the streets of Rome in a classic Vespa DL 125 of 1950, was a rage.

And here are pics of the movie, with a handsome Gregory Peck and the beautiful Audrey Hepburn going around Rome.

Greg and Audrey on their way to the coffee house



The couple going to the Colosseum.



And Audrey trying her hand at the Vespa.



More pics of the movie here:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...ml#post1537689

[aneeshanand]

nice history line covered!!!
thanks.
My dad too owned a Vespa Select. after that he bought Supremo. My God, that was a power train really. taking 3 cement sacks with my pappa (around 400kg total), flying in 110kmph on highway, taking quick accelerations that other scooters can only dream of etc were some of her adventures...

[the mole]

I photographed this vespa on a trip to Germany in the town of Lindau. Is this a classic model or just a newly introduced retro looking model.

[hillram]

Wonderful thread.I cant think why i didnt start this thread.
All of us have an emotional attachment to Vespas as some one rightly said that we all rode/owned a Vespa.
I have owned/restored and even today ride Vespa with pride.
Here are some of the Vespas I own today:
- 1962 Vespa 150 (Black)
- 1989 LML Vespa (Fern Green)
- 1992 Vespa PVX (Turquoise Blue and White).
Check out my latest restoration of Vespa PVX on the Motorbikes thread.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by the mole

I photographed this vespa on a trip to Germany in the town of Lindau. Is this a classic model or just a newly introduced retro looking model.

Its definitely an old model, although I dont know the exact name. It seemed to be forerunner of the PL170 (one Vespa model that I'd really like to have)

@ram: Nice collection! BTW is it just me or are the side-panels on your LML PL170 ones?

[hillram]

Shyam..they cant be the side panels of Vespa PL170 as its a intergrated monocoque body.PVX is the later version of PL170 by AP Scooters.
Btw LML didnt make PL170..APS did.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by hillram

PVX is the later version of PL170 by AP Scooters.
Btw LML didnt make PL170..APS did.

Oh, is it? Geez I never knew there was one such model of Vespa with us! I thought APSL (who first made Allwyn Pushpak as you may know) shut down after the PL170. 'looks cool IMHO.

[karlosdeville]

Here are scans of the original delivery note of my Vespa (purchased for a princley sum of Rs. 2544 and paise 79. One owner, original paint. Also the first insurance and reciept for Rs. 22 and paise 50 only!

[hillram]

Karl..thats one of a relic parchment that you have mate.Please treasure it with utmost care.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by hillram

Karl..thats one of a relic parchment that you have mate.Please treasure it with utmost care.

You bet I will - I bought the scooter only for these reciepts!