By Leonard Clark
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The Vespa Paperino, also known as Vespa 98, was the first model ever produced by Piaggio in 1946. This unit is a replica of the very rare and special 1946 Paperino built on a 1967 Vespa VMA chassis. Overall a very interesting custom build, reasonably faithful to the original Paperino design, but hardly an exact replica. Overall workmanship and finish are well done and this is a unique collectable addition to any Vespa collection. 1946 Vespa Paperino ReplicaOffered at $3,405Price (before tax): $3,405Make: Vespa Paperino ReplicaYear: 1946Displacement: 150ccInventory number: BM405License needed: Yes
In April 1946, the Vespa was launched, the scooter for excellence, the most sold and most imitated worldwide. The scooter, which has not been used by all of the Piaggio, has only produced 50 vehicles in ’43. The problem of individual transport, security and low cost is central and Enrico Piaggio understands that the scooter can become the symbol of the race. Born as an Italian phenomenon, the scooter soon managed to interest all of Europe and subsequently to establish itself in the rest of the world. Electronics interviewed significantly, the balance is robotic but the general concessions are the same, in contrast to the strategy of other scooter manufacturers, in prevalence giapponesi.
It’s 70 years since the first Vespa scooter rolled off the production line at the Pontedera factory in Italy… a humble 98cc, three-speed machine. The Vespa ET9 50, launched in autumn 2000 (and replaced in 2005 by the Vespa LX) was the first four-stroke Vespa 50cc. With these two models, Vespa reached unprecedented size and power levels. Three exclusive models were presented to celebrate Vespa’s 60th anniversary in 2006, the Vespa GTV, Vespa LXV and Vespa GT 60°. Vespa S 50 and Vespa LX 50 4 Valve, 2009.
Enrico Piaggio’s design wasn’t the first scooter but when he unveiled the Vespa, his new two-wheeled vehicle at the Turin motor show in 1946, he presented a stylish version that appealed to everyone. During the second World War Italians had seen US-made scooters such as the Cushman Autoglide and after the war Fiat and many others had worked on prototypes. All of this excess metal in a period of post-war austerity made the Vespa, and it does indeed sound like a wasp priced to be accessible to all, seem decadent. Design legend has it that D'Ascanio found old wheels and forks in the aircraft factory and made the first Vespa. For Vespa fans, there's a gorgeous new book packed with evocative archive photographs, The Life: Vespa by Eric Dregni.
First Vespa logoFirst prototype name:"MP5" ("Moto Piaggio 5", 1944)First prototype nickname:"Paperino"Second prototype name:"MP6" ("Moto Piaggio 6", 1945)First model name: "Vespa 98" (1946)Category:MotorcyclesSubcategory:ScooterPrototype designers: Renzo Spolti, Vittorio CasiniFirst model designer: Corradino D'AscanioProducer: Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. (founded by Rinaldo Piaggio on January 24, 1884)Prototype made in:1944 - Biella, Piedmont, ItalyProduction start: 1946 - April 23, Pontedera (Pisa), Tuscany, ItalyFirst price: 55,000 ITLPrototype features: The inspiration for the design of the Vespa dates back to Pre-World War II Cushman scooters made in Nebraska, USA. The MP6 prototype was presented in September 1945 to Enrico Piaggio, who exclaimed: «It looks like a wasp [Vespa]!». Property: Piaggio & Co. S.p.A.Official website:Piaggio MP5 ("Paperino"), the first prototype of Vespa scooter (1944)Piaggio MP6, the second prototype of Vespa scooter (1945)Vespa 98, the first model of Vespa scooter (1946)Vespa, figure from Patent (Dec. 27, 1949, filed June 19, 1947) granted to Corradino D'AscanioVespa debut (Acquasanta Golf Club, Rome, March 29, 1946). The picture, taken on March 30, shows Luigi Di Gennaro (holding the handlebars) - dealer Piaggio and famous motorcycle racer, and Piaggio mechanic Guido Galbani (on the left). "Ne courrez plus... roulez Vespa... roulez Vespa" (Don't run more... ride Vespa... ride Vespa)Vespa French poster (1955) by Raymond SavignacCorradino D'Ascanio (Popoli, Feb. 1, 1891 - Pisa, Aug. 6, 1981), the Italian aeronautical engineer who designed the first production helicopter and the first Vespa scooter
‘Sembra una vespa’ – ‘It looks like a wasp’ is what Enrico Piaggio supposedly said when he first saw the prototype, thus creating the name for the “cult scooter” par excellence. THE VESPA – V98 models OF THE FIRST AND SECOND SERIESWhoever discovered the auction announcement in spring 2017 for a 1946 Vespa V98 estimating it between 250.000 – 300.000€ was surely surprised. From 1954/55 onwards, the headlamp was moved to the steering head, which is still the case in today’s design. This was accompanied by an increase in production volume to well over 100.000 units and an expansion of the model range. The prices for scooters from 1955 onwards move between 5.000 – 7.000€, depending on the model and condition.
