special vespa issue
t o o c s magazine
march 2012
the scooter standard how vespa become an icon
vespanomics fashionable and frugal
plus: locations of vespa stores across america what does vespa mean?? a vespa-maniac tells all
in this
Issue... 6: 9: 11: 15: 17: 18: 20: 22: 26: 30: 32: 36:
what’s your color? helmets, goggles, and more the scooter standard in vespa we trust what’s in a name? dolce vita di vespa! vespa vendors vespanomics vespa on film which one is for me? a sheer work of art voyages of a vespa-maniac
{
{
“The Vespa is probably an immortal object that unites generations and social classes, sexes, tastes and trends.�
Scooter standard the
an icon on the go For all its practicality, the Vespa has always been an icon of style. Its aircraft-heritage shape is considered by some to be the apex of Italian design; at the very least, it is a symbol that encapsulates Italian fashion, design, art and architecture of the mid-20th century.
{
{
The Vespa scooter has long been a symbol of youthful independence as well as one of the most recognizable pop culture icons of the 20th century.
Although the use of scooters does predate the produced them on a level not previously seen. Italian industry had suffered severely under Allied bombing during World War II, and many Italian industries were geared for wartime production. With the Italian economy struggling and much of their manufacturing facility in ruins, the Piaggio family sought a way to reinvent their business. They had been producing aircraft, but the demand was greatly reduced in post-war Italy. Second-generation company owner Enrico Piaggio had an idea for a two-wheeled, inexpensive vehicle that would Italians who still needed a way to get around. There is a legend that Enrico was inspired by his employees, who had trouble getting from one part of the Piaggio facility to another due to large portions of it being bombed out. However, this same tale is told of Vespa competitor Lambretta, so the story is doubtful. In any case, Piaggio called on aircraft engineer Corradino D’Ascanio to come up with a design. Unfettered by any preconceptions about what a motorcycle or scooter should look like, and aided by his experience designing sturdy, lightweight aircraft frames, D’Ascanio created Piaggo’s wishes for the new vehicle. It just needed a name, and based on its shape and the sound of the engine, Piaggio decided to call it “Wasp.” The Italian word for wasp, of course, is vespa.
vespanomics sure, they look good and are iconic, but will a vespa save me money?
For over 60 years the passion and practicality of a Vespa has been delighting riders around the globe and showing them switching your ride to a Vespa can save thousands of dollars a year. Most American families have two cars. But with the ever-rising cost of fuel and other costs associated with car ownership, there’s second vehicle a Vespa. Not only will your gasoline costs be dramatically reduced, but your ownership and operating costs as well. It takes far less overhead to keep a scooter running than a four-wheeled sedan or SUV. In fact, the operating cost of a Vespa is only 5¢ a mile, while the an SUV is 24¢ a mile. Annually, the operating and ownership cost of a Vespa is $2000, while an average sedan is $8000 and an SUV’s is nearly $10,500. So for those short errands, quick trips, or long commutes, subtract two wheels – and gain a lot more savings.
It takes far less overhead to keep a scooter running than a four-wheeled sedan or SUV. In fact, the operating cost of a Vespa is only 5¢ a mile, while the an SUV is 24¢ a mile.
An engine displacing just 150 cubic centimeters is bound to Still, improvements can always be found in the good old internal combustion engine, and we have to hand it to classic Italian a way to squeeze a but more mileage from its single cylinder, four-stroke mill.
Vespa’s new Eco-Smart fuel injected engine will be standard in the company’s 2011 S, LX and LXV 150 models, using 15 percent less fuel than the 2010 editions. In addition to providing 85 miles per gallon, Vespa says that its new powerband for stop-and-go riding. Fortunately, the increase Vespa’s 2011 150cc models can each hit a top speed of about 60 miles per hour, just like before.
“
If Americans were to switch just 10% of their total mileage to scooters, they would consume 14 - 18 million gallons less fuel per day and carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 324 million pounds per day as well.