Vespa

Vespa
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryScooter
Founded23 April 1946 (1946-04-23) in Florence, Tuscany
Headquarters,
Italy
ParentPiaggio & Co. SpA
Websitevespa.com
Classic Vespas in Perth, Western Australia
Classic Vespa sound (43 seconds)

Vespa (Italian pronunciation: [ˈvɛspa]) is an Italian luxury brand of scooters and mopeds manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian. The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. of Pontedera, Italy to a full line of scooters and one of seven companies today owned by Piaggio.[1]

From their inception, Vespa scooters have been known for their painted, pressed steel unibody which combines, in a unified structural unit, a complete cowling for the engine (enclosing the engine mechanism and concealing dirt or grease), a flat floorboard (providing foot protection), and a prominent front fairing (providing wind protection).

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference from Rider Magazine was invoked but never defined (see the help page).