VESPA 946 EMPORIO ARMANI WAS DEVELOPED JOINTLY BY GIORGIO ARMANI AND PIAGGIO TO CELEBRATE TWO OF ITALY’S MOST ESTABLISHED SYMBOLS OF STYLE AND CREATIVITY
To mark the year 2015 – the 40th anniversary of the foundation of Giorgio Armani and the 130th birthday of the Piaggio Group – Emporio Armani has designed a special version of the Vespa 946. In keeping with Armani’s signature subdued colour palette, the designer has come up with a special combination of greys with subtle hints of green visible only under particular light conditions for the project.
9 June 2015 – Preview of the new Vespa 946 Emporio Armani: From left, Roberto Colaninno, Chairman and Ceo of the Piaggio Group and Chairman of the Immsi group; Michele Colaninno, Board of Directors of Piaggio & c. Spa, Ceo and General Manager of the Immsi group; the stylist and designer Giorgio Armani.
The name ‘Vespa 946’ alludes to the year – 1946 – that this scooter, which has become iconic and famous around the world, was first made. The design of the new Emporio Armani is a modern reinterpretation of the original Vespa style.
The metal parts, produced using galvanic treatments, have a satin finish, and create an opaque effect in line with the finishing touches of the body. The words ‘Emporio Armani’ appear on the side, while the iconic eagle logo of the brand sits above the headlight.
The Vespa 946 Emporio Armani is about technology as well as style. Its aluminium cylinder blocks, brown-leather finishes, luxury accessories, electronic riding controls (which also interface with the latest Internet devices) complement the innovative four-stroke electronic injection engine, whose enhanced fuel economy and minimal emissions make this two-wheeler the ideal choice for city riding. The 220 mm double disc brake, two-channel ABS braking system and large 12 inch wheels guarantee maximum safety on the road.
The Vespa 946 Emporio Armani will be produced in an exclusive run of individually numbered scooters, and will be on sale in the world’s most important cities starting from June.
Giorgio Armani presents the new Emporio Armani capsule collection
designed to mark the launch of the Vespa 946 Emporio Armani
Giorgio Armani has created a special capsule collection of Emporio Armani pieces to celebrate the launch of the new Vespa 946 Emporio Armani. The capsule collection of men’s and women’s clothing in the same colour as the Vespa 946 – a particular shade of grey with a subtle hint of green – stands out for its quality fabrics and carefully designed details, such as appliqué and contrasting reflective piping in grey and black.
State of the art waterproof, windproof and breathable materials are used to make the jacket, waistcoat and trousers. The capsule collection is completed with long-sleeved and short-sleeved stretch-cotton T-shirts, a short-sleeved polo shirt, a full-zip hoodie, and matching accessories: driving gloves, key holder, a hat with a ribbed turn-up brim, a baseball cap and Emporio Armani sunglasses.
The capsule collection will be launched in June and will be available on line on armani.com armani.com.
40 YEARS OF ARMANI
40 Years of Armani - Armani/Silos
40 Years of Armani – The Show
Product
THE NEW VESPA PX TOURING
TIMELESS LEGEND
The ideal link between the past of the world’s most famous scooter and its future, the Vespa PX is back with its two most revered displacements: 125 and 150. Incomparable style, engines that comply with the most rigorous emissions regulations and the classic four-gear transmission put the Vespa PX in a class of its own. The PX is now also available in the new TOURING special series: a homage to the great trail-blazing spirit that has always powered the Vespa.
To heighten the natural inclination for touring that has made the Vespa a legend of on-the-road adventures, the Vespa PX range has been enhanced with a new special series: the Vespa PX Touring. Available in 125cc and 150cc displacements, this special version is dedicated to everyone who loves the pioneering spirit of the Vespa PX.
2015 Vespa PX 125 Touring Scooter - Walkaround
Standard features on the Vespa PX Touring include chrome front and rear luggage racks for a significant increase in the vehicle’s load carrying capacity, accessories that characterise the touring range of the Vespa legend. The top fairing, the colour of the seat – in brown chosen exclusively for this model, a perfect match for the silk grey body – and the special plate behind the leg shield make this a tribute to all the trailblasers who have taken the unmistakeable style of the Vespa across the world.
37 YEARS ON THE ROADS OF THE WORLD
UNIQUE, UNMISTAKEABLY VESPA More than eighteen million Vespa scooter have been sold around the world since 1946, bringing people from different countries and cultures closer together, fulfilling the dream and desire for freedom of whole generations of young people.
West Coast Vespa Trip
The Vespa is a unique phenomenon in the history of popular culture. It was the vehicle that brought personal mobility to postwar Europe. It was instrumental in the split between the Mods, with their Vespas and Lambrettas, and the Rockers. This BBC documentary tells the story.
Mods and Rockers Rebooted BBC Documentary 2014
The Vespa embodied music, rebellion, romanticism and escapism. It promised freedom for all. It was the symbol of the era of the “Dolce Vita”. It took a leading role in the “revolution of ideas” carried forward by the young generations of the 1960s and 1970s. It welcomed Rock 'n Roll to Europe and raced forward to witness the advent of the MTV Generation and digital music. And it continues to go strong. Thirty-seven years after the launch of the Vespa PX, a milestone very few vehicles can boast, the model’s record seems all the more impressive given the extraordinary popularity this great “classic” has achieved, with more than three million scooters sold all over the world.
YOGYAKARTA MODS MAYDAY 2014
Most of the PX scooters that have been produced and sold are still on the roads today, a testimony not only to this two-wheeler’s proverbial sturdiness and reliability but also to the devotion every owner has for their Vespa.
SURABAYA MODS MAYDAY 2014 (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
In the current Vespa range, the PX is the only model to offer four-gear transmission on the handlebar: a true “must” for enthusiasts, together with an unmistakeable timeless design.
INIMITABLE TECHNOLOGY AND STYLE
THE ONLY ONE WITH A MANUAL GEARSHIFT Essential lines, elegant minimalism: the Vespa PX retains all the classic strengths that have decreed its success for more than thirty years: unmistakeable aesthetics, functionality and user-friendliness, the legendary sturdiness of a steel body, the reliability of a simple, indestructible engine, the possibility to fit a spare wheel (as a functional feature or simply because you want to). Without indulging in retro style for its own sake, the Vespa PX’s easy-to-read instrument panel is instantly recognisably as timeless. The speedometer, in both miles and kilometres, and the fuel gauge are lit with a neutral light that blends perfect with the purity of the design. The array of lights includes indicators for the lights, full beam, turn signals and fuel reserve. The Vespa PX saddle maintains the proverbial comfort and reliability that have always made this two-wheeler a “touring” scooter of excellence. Ideal for passengers, it accommodates riders of all sizes and offers unparalleled comfort and vehicle control. The headlight, with a state-of-the-art complex surface reflector, employs a halogen bulb to create a powerful beam for perfect visibility, a vital contribution in terms of active safety.
The taillight has always been a signature feature of every Vespa model. From the small round taillight of the legendary 98cc model of 1946, to the two-piece light with chrome parts that embellished the 125cc of 1962, and the boxy design, so typical of the 1970s, of the Primavera ET3. The Vespa PX returns to soft lines for the taillight, with a classic elegant chrome edge. The red taillight unit includes the brake light and licence plate light. The turn indicators on the Vespa PX feature an orange bulb behind a clear plastic casing, a combination that echoes the elegance of the many chrome details, enhancing the purity of the scooter’s lines. The new handgrips, in black rubber, are enhanced with the Vespa logo, which also appears on the new central tunnel cover, now finished with a stylish satin-look material.
2014 Vespa PX 125 Scooter Walkaround
The grille is an explicit reference to the design of the great classics in the history of the Vespa. The Vespa’s unibody frame is an exclusive characteristic that has always set it apart from all other scooters. The PX remains true to this construction solution, which, in addition to distinguishing it as an absolute classic, endows the two-wheeler with superior rigidity and riding precision. The link-arm front suspension – a technical solution indissolubly linked to the Vespa – comprises a coil spring and dual-action hydraulic damper. The rear suspension system is linked with the engine transmission case, which also does duty as the swingarm. The 10” wheelrims mount 3.50” tyres. The braking system deploys a 200 mm stainless steel front disk brake and a powerful and reliable 150 mm rear drum brake, for perfect braking regulation. The single-cylinder, two-stroke 125 cc and 150 cc engines with forced air cooling offer CDI electronic injection and an electric starter as well as a kick starter. And who could imagine the most classic of the Vespa models without its splendid kick-start pedal crank? Thanks to a new catalytic converter designed to eliminate emissions, both of the Vespa PX models comply with the strict Euro3 standards. The gearbox on the PX is a four-speed manual unit, for total riding pleasure. The Vespa PX is available in Glossy Black, Mountain White and the new Mint Green.
ACCESSORIES
The line of Vespa PX accessories includes a practical top box, full windscreen and tinted fairing, front and rear chrome luggage racks, chrome bumpers for the front mudguard, chrome rear perimeter guard, luggage tie-down straps, 10" white rim tyre, black mat, seat handlebar anti-theft device and leg cover.
Event
VIETNAM: ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO
VESPA AMBASSADOR IN HANOI
Hanoi, 13 June 2015 – A report on an extraordinary day at Piaggio Vietnam thanks to the presence in Hanoi of Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero, the ambassador of the worldwide Vespa brand, who fronted a series of initiatives bringing together Vespa enthusiasts and fans of the “beautiful game”. Alessandro Del Piero began “Vespa Day 2015” by unveiling the new Vespa Sprint in a matt black livery (for which he is the testimonial in the new communication campaign) and later put his name on a blue Vespa Sprint: a one-off scooter branded “Del Piero 10” (the number of his world champion football jersey), which was sold at a charity auction. The proceeds will go to the Hanoi National Paediatric Hospital as part of the Piaggio Group’s international “Vespa for Children” project.
(Photo: Thanhnien.viet.com online).
VESPA AND ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO: ITALIAN ICONS
“Alessandro Del Piero and Vespa have a lot of things in common, all representing the excellence of Italy,” said Costantino Sambuy, General Director of Piaggio Vietnam. “They are two world-famous Italian icons, recognised for their successes and for their profound impact on public opinion and numerous fan clubs. Both Vespa and Alessandro Del Piero convey great class and elegance, as well as a contagious spirit of freedom that moves people, emotions and beliefs.”
In Asia, and in Vietnam in particular, the Vespa’s fame is a clear demonstration that the Italian values and spirit have made their way through very successfully. The same is true of Italian football and Alessandro Del Piero, followed by millions of Vietnamese fans. With the Vespa Day 2015 event, Piaggio Vietnam created an opportunity to celebrate both Del Piero and the Vespa, two global icons, with a happening involving Vespa devotees and football aficionados from the whole city and beyond. Vespa Day 2015 took place at the central Hoan Kiem lake, one of the city’s most symbolic locations.
English translation of the video: “A great many Italian icons are famous abroad, more than you might think. For 19 years I played with a world-famous team, Juventus, I played for many years in the national team, winning a World Cup. Without a doubt, victories like this create a certain type of status. I played for years with this highly prestigious team and obviously also in the national team, which in the 2006 world championship transformed my life and I was particularly proud to experience all this abroad. It’s also an act of responsibility, and that’s something you have to be aware of in my view. I took some important decisions; the first of course was Sydney, which completely changed my world. It’s fantastic to be able to speak, to touch, to be with people who have had very little chance, or none at all, to meet you, to see you, it’s great to meet them in the various countries of the world when I travel. The Vespa has always been something special, when you’re small it’s the most desirable object. My friends and I often had fun closing our eyes and listening to the passing sounds and trying to be the first to identify the sound of the Vespa. Then it gradually became part of my life and it still is part of my life. It was there before I was born, and this association makes it even more special. In any case, it’s been great to watch close-up the evolution of the Vespa over the past 30 years. For me, in my experience, and abroad, it’s an icon, I feel a bit as though I’m a part of all this, even though I haven’t really done anything, even so…
A true international football legend, Alessandro Del Piero played with Italy’s national team in three World Cups, becoming world champion on 9 July 2006 at the Berlin Olympia stadiun, and scoring 27 goals in 91 matches with the Italian Azzurri. Del Piero played with the Juventus Football Club of Turin for 19 seasons. He holds all the possible personal records in the club, including 705 official presences and 290 goals, and he won 18 titles. Juventus FC is the Italian football team with the largest number of national titles. During his career, Del Piero has scored 344 goals.
“Football is the most well-known and widespread sport in the world and I see this in every country I visit, when people recognise me and talk about my success,” Alessandro Del Piero confirms. “Vespa is a great Italian icon, which has a lot in common with football: it is well-known everywhere, it wins admiration and friendship, it attracts young people, it’s cheerful and fun. As an Italian who has been riding this scooter since I was a boy, I feel proud every time I see a Vespa around the world. And from this point of view, Vietnam is a simply extraordinary country. It is almost a second home for Vespa after Italy.”
Vietnam is a key market for Vespa in Asia, and Vespa has a long history in the country: In Vietnam, the love for Vespa is undeniable, and all the signs point to a long future and increasing penetration for this iconic scooter. The growing number of Vespa fans and clubs confirm the great interest of Vietnamese consumers: The visit of Vespa ambassador Del Piero is also a way of saying thank you to the nation and its customers and fans, for a long history of close relations and mutual esteem. Vietnam is the only Asian country visited by Alessandro Del Piero at the start of his role as Vespa brand ambassador. Over the decades, Vespa has always been applauded as one of Italy's design and cultural icons all over the world. With the presence of Alessandro Del Piero – one of the best-known Italian football players of all time – this is a meeting between two symbols globally recognised for Italian style, quality and excellence.
CHRONICLE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY
A crowd of fans welcomed Alessandro Del Piero on his arrival at Hanoi airport. On the morning of 13 June, he met fans (through an online chat) at the offices of the Vietnam News Agency, in the presence of a large group of journalists. He then took part in a live talk show of a national television program (Sport TV & Football TV Channels, VTV).
In the afternoon, after a photo shoot for three leading weekly and monthly magazines (to whom he gave exclusive interviews), Del Piero took part in the Vespa Day 2015 event with the launch of the new Vespa Sprint special edition, of which he is testimonial, followed by a charity auction for the sale of the “Del Piero version”, a one-off Vespa model signed by the footballer. He also displayed his skills with a football, gave interviews and signed autographs: the champion spared no effort, electrifying the audience and the media, to great applause.
HANOI. Magazine shoots: Alessandro Del Piero and the Vespa Sprint, special edition, with a matt black livery
The next morning, on 14 June, Alessandro Del Piero visited the Hanoi Paediatric Hospital, to which the proceeds raised by the sale of the Vespa Sprint at the Vespa Day 2015 auction were devolved.
On his Facebook page, Alessandro Del Piero recounts his trip to Hanoi, sharing his memories with his more than 4 million followers. He writes: “16-06-2015 Hanoi – Vietnam. Today I want to talk about my latest journey. I’ve just come back from Vietnam, where I took part in a series of events in a role of which I’m very proud: ambassador of Vespa, an Italian brand famous all over the world. During the trip, Piaggio organised a charity auction at which a Vespa Special Edition scooter was put up for sale, the only Vespa in the world with the “DEL PIERO 10” logo and my signature: all the funds raised went to the children’s hospital in Hanoi. My trip ended with a very emotional visit to see some of the children and the doctors treating them at the National Hospital for Paediatrics in Hanoi.
The “Vespa for Children” project, involving the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome and the Piaggio Group, has set up a program in Vietnam’s leading paediatric hospital to help children affected by complex urological diseases, in order to improve the life expectancy of many Vietnamese infants and children. I was delighted that the auction raised an impressive amount, far more than expected, for the marvellous physicians at the National Hospital for Paediatrics, who will certainly put it to good use for the children in Hanoi.”
SUCCESS FOR VESPA WORLD DAYS 2015 IN CROATIA
SO LONG UNTIL 2016 IN SAINT TROPEZ!
BIOGRAD (CROATIA) HOSTED THE “VESPA WORLD DAYS 2015”, THE MOST IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL VESPA RALLY. MORE THAN 5,000 VESPA SCOOTERS RODE IN FROM 32 COUNTRIES
Vespa World Days 2015 DAY1
Biograd (Croatia), 15 June 2015 – The 2015 edition of Vespa World Days, the most important international rally dedicated to the world’s favourite two-wheeler, was held in Biograd (Croatia). From Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 June, the four-day event celebrated friendship, a passion for adventure and travel with more than 5,000 Vespa riders from 32 countries meeting up on the Croatian coast.
Vespa World Days 2015 DAY2
Besides Europe (which was fully represented), arrivals were reported from Brazil, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand. The presence in Biograd of representatives from the countries of the former Yugoslavia was significant, from Croatia of course (the host country), but also Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Slovenia, Bosnia and Macedonia. Once again, the Vespa proved to be a bridge of friendship between different populations and generations.
KICK-OFF AT THE VESPA VILLAGE.
Vespa World Days 2015 began with the opening of the Vespa Village located in the centre of Biograd, which was the beating heart of the rally (with a display of the Vespa scooter range and a clothing and accessories store). Biograd was also the starting and finishing point for the many excursions planned by the organisers along the spectacular Adriatic coast. The densely packed program included visits to the Vespa Museum in Zara, with its private collections of rare Vespa scooters, as well as non-stop fun each evening from Thursday to Saturday at the Biograd City Party (until 11 p.m.) and the Biograd Beach Party (into the small hours).
As always, the culminating event of Vespa World Days was the awards ceremony for the winners of the Vespa Trophy, the competition for Vespa travellers who documented all the stops on their trip to Biograd with photographs and stamps in their Travel Books. The tourism trophy involved more than 2,000 Piaggio Group dealerships from 25 countries all over the world. All Vespa Clubs could take part: the goal was to reach Biograd by 11 June, after passing the greatest possible number of Piaggio Check Points with the largest number of Vespas.
Vespa World Days 2015 DAY3
AWARD CEREMONY: A TRIUMPH FOR ITALY’S VESPA CLUBS.
In keeping with tradition, Vespa World Days concluded with the Vespa Club awards. It was an Italian triumph: Martin Shift, President of the Vespa World Club (the worldwide body of 56 national Vespa Clubs) presented the Vespa Trophy to the Sirmione Vespa Club, a team of 12 Vespa riders who reached Biograd after visiting the largest number of checkpoints throughout Europe. The all-Italian podium saw the Cerignola Vespa Club in second place, while the surprise third-place winner was the VR37100 Vespa Club from Verona, taking part in Vespa World Days for the very first time. The individual Vespa awards went to Canadian Jeff Schneider, Russian Alexei Kozlov and Serbian Dejan Stojcic.
Now the baton passes to the Vespa Club de France, which will be organising Vespa World Days 2016 in the spectacular setting of the Côte d'Azur, at Saint Tropez. ARRIVEDERCI!
THE VESPA WORLD: 780 CLUBS AND 67,000 MEMBERS.
With more than 18 million scooters produced since its debut in 1946, the Vespa has given the whole world an extra gear, appearing on the streets of every continent. The first truly global mobility brand, it has become a trait d’union between generations, interacting with disparate social environments, generating diverse cultural phenomena specific to the communities in which it has gradually become a protagonist and distinguishing feature. It has led lifestyle, music and youth revolutions. It has accompanied nations in their growth, opening up horizons at times of economic prosperity. And today it is one of the most popular and best known Italian products in every corner of the globe.
By tradition, Vespa World Days is the ultimate celebration of the timeless legend that is Vespa. The 2015 edition came 57 years after the first Eurovespa rally held in Belgium in July 1958: the Vespa event, rechristened Vespa World Days in 2007, was originally organised for the 1958 Expo, the Brussels world fair. From the word go, the Vespa was an object of devotion, so much so that its owners began forming clubs, in Italy and abroad, as early as 1946, when the very first Vespa scooter appeared. Today, there are 56 national Vespa Clubs associated with the Vespa World Club and more than 780 registered local Vespa Clubs, for a total of more than 67,000 members worldwide. In the past year, over 100 rallies have been held in Italy alone. Vespa World Days is on the Vespa website and the official social media: facebook.com/vespa, twitter.com/vespa_official, hashtag #vwd2015.
The more than 5,000 Vespa scooters in Biograd included historic and more recent models. Among the most admired participants were rare examples of the very first Vespa (the 98cc from 1946), the powerful GS from 1955 and the sporty Vespa SS, a legend among young people in the 1960s. They were flanked by an imposing line-up of new Primavera, Sprint and GTS models, successfully perpetuating a unique heritage.
Event
PIAGGIO VIETNAM: 500,000 SCOOTERS PRODUCED
The 500,000th scooter to leave the Piaggio Group Vietnam factory is a white Vespa Sprint 125. On 10 June 2014, in the presence of Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, Piaggio Vietnam celebrated the production of its 400,000th scooter since operations began. The Vespa Sprint 125 that left the Vinh Phuc factory as the 500,000th scooter has been donated to an important charity, in which Italian teachers and personnel are involved: the Pho Cap school, established in the Thanh Binh district in 2001
Hanoi (Vietnam), 21 April 2015 – Piaggio Vietnam celebrated the 500,000th scooter to leave the production line at the Vinh Phuc factory in Vietnam, another significant milestone in Piaggio Group operations on Asian markets. The 500,000th scooter produced by the Piaggio Group’s Vietnamese factory is a white Vespa Sprint 125.
Less than a year ago, on 10 June 2014, Piaggio Vietnam marked the production of the 400,000th scooter since operations began. The celebration was attended by Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, who was welcomed to the Vinh Phuc facility by a delegation of Piaggio Group led by Chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno and by Group Deputy Chairman Matteo Colaninno(see the picture below).
The Piaggio Vietnam factory commenced operations in the second half of 2009. It produces a range of two-wheelers including the Vespa and the Piaggio Liberty, Fly and Zip scooters. In addition to winning a leading role in the premium sector of the Vietnamese market, Piaggio Vietnam has enabled the Piaggio Group to move into a number of important new markets in South East Asia, notably Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Cambodia.
As well as the vehicle assembly plant, the Piaggio Vietnam industrial complex in Vinh Phuc houses the new plant that produces engines for scooters, which opened in 2012. It is also the site of an R&D centre for the two-wheeler sector – the first R&D unit set up by the Piaggio Group in Asia – which operates synergistically with the HQ’s technical units in Pontedera, focusing on the vehicle and engine ranges for the Asian and Pacific markets. In 2014, the Piaggio Group shipped approximately 98,000 powered two-wheelers and reported revenues of around 190 million euro in the Asia Pacific area.
Piaggio Vietnam scooter n. 500.000
The important new production milestone reflects the positive business performance of the Piaggio Group on the region’s markets, and confirms the growth of the technical skills of Piaggio Vietnam personnel, who, in less than six years, have reached the highest standards of quality and efficiency, paving the way to a new phase in the company’s development.
A YEAR OF VESPA SPRINT
The Vespa Sprint was officially launched in Vietnam one year ago, on 17 April 2014, with a VIP and media event at the Chill Skybar in Saigon. Here is the launch video.
VESPA SPRINT LAUNCHING 17.04.2014
Event
AWARD FOR PIAGGIO VIETNAM
In 2014, for the second time, Piaggio Vietnam received the Anphabe & Nielsen Vietnam Best Place to Work Award. The initiatives of the “Vespa for Children” charity
With more than 800 employees, Piaggio Vietnam is the Piaggio Group’s third-largest production facility, after Pontedera (Pisa, Italy) and Baramati in India. The Group has a total worldwide workforce of 7,600 employees (at 31 December 2014), the majority of whom – approximately 4,000 – work in the EMEA Area, including around 3,800 employees in Italy. In 2014, for the second time, Piaggio Vietnam received the Anphabe & Nielsen award as Vietnam Best Place to Work. It also ranked no. 3 in the automobile and auto components industries and is listed among the top 100 companies in Vietnam.
Piaggio Vietnam has also received local government recognition: with decision 364/QĐ-BKHĐT of 24 March 2014 issued by the Ministry of Planning & Investment, Piaggio Vietnam – the only FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in Vinh Phuc province – obtained the Certificate of Merit granted to FDIs for contributions to the social and economic development of Vietnam.
Active in Vietnam with the first major project set up under the Vespa for Children charity (which in cooperation with the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Italy has set up a medical-surgery program at the National Hospital for Paediatrics in Hanoi), Piaggio Vietnam decided to link the 21 April 2015 celebration with a charity project. Emblazoned with the Vespa for Children logo, the Vespa Sprint 125 identified as the 500,000th scooter produced in Vinh Phuc has been donated to a leading voluntary association in which Italian teachers and personnel also take part. This is the Pho Cap School set up in 2001 in the district of Thanh Binh, which provides free education for orphans or children from difficult family backgrounds.
EVENT
VIETNAM: THE “UNLEASH WOMEN” TV SERIES
THREE CAREER WOMEN AND THE VESPA PRIMAVERA
“Unleash Women” is the title of a TV series produced in Vietnam, following three modern women with strong personalities, decisive movers in their careers, who want to stand out from the crowd. And they all ride the Vespa Primavera.
VESPA 946 ON HERITAGE FASHION
Heritage magazine is very well-known among passengers on Vietnam Airlines flights. Now it has created a distinctive sister publication – Heritage Fashion – to rank among the leading Vietnamese fashion and lifestyle magazines. It recently chose the top-of-the-range Vespa model – the prestigious 946, from the 2014 “Bellissima” collection – to add a touch of class to a high-fashion photo shoot in the countryside. Here are some of the shots.
Thai Thuy Linh, singer
Linh has made headway in her career by choosing difficult, sometimes controversial songs with a rock style, and dressing in an original style. These traits also mark her personal life, which has attracted wide media attention (in part due to her decision to become a “single mother”). Besides working as a singer, Thai Thuy Linh also takes part in charity programs such as “Bringing the music to hospitals”, and is the director of the Artistic Talents Education Centre for children. The film looks beyond the feisty rebellious image, to explore other sides of Thai Thuy Linh.
Khanh Thi, dancer
The episode about Khanh Thi, “Behind the Glamour”, shows this formidable dancing queen on the dance floor and on the stage, and as a strong-minded judge in a TV reality show.
Ha Do, creative director Dep Magazine
Creative director of Dep Magazine, an important publication, Ha Do is regarded as the most powerful woman in the Vietnamese world of fashion and fashion shows, where she is known as “Ms. Demanding” (emphasising that she expects the best from everyone). The episode about Ha Do, “The Powerful Woman in Vietnamese Fashion”, promises to look at the lesser-known aspects of her personality, and will probably surprise colleagues and the public.
The co-star of the TV series with the three women is the Vespa Primavera: all three can be seen riding the splendid scooter in glamourous outfits. What better choice of vehicle could the producers have made to show off the personality and style of three strong women, if not the iconic Vespa.
(Sources: Piaggio Vietnam; Piaggio Magazine Asia Pacific).
EVENT
SO LONG UNTIL EUROAPE 2016
A GREAT SUCCESS FOR THE 2015 RALLY, IN TREVI, UMBRIA: A MIXTURE OF HISTORY, CULTURE, FOOD AND WINE, AND STUNNING SCENERY
The 2015 edition of the “EuroApe” international rally will go down in people’s memories and history as one of the most successful of the series. Two days of festivities (25-26 April) in Trevi, an historic hillside town in the province of Perugia, Umbria, whose enchanting landscape dominated by olive groves provided the setting for the nearly one hundred Ape vans from various periods (driven in by about 200 participants from Italy and farther afield). In addition to the road tours, the organisers had planned a variety of events, including a picnic among the olive groves, a market of local specialities, games and competitions, visits to local attractions, photo exhibitions, a medieval dinner. The rally was organised by the Ape Club d’Italia, in cooperation with the Trevi town council and Piaggio Commercial Vehicles.
EuroApe 2015 - Trevi
The drivers and above all the nippy Ape Proto Evolution vans (from Rimini and San Marino) were a great success, when they lined up in the central Piazza Garibaldi on the Ape circuit created for the occasion.
A photo competition organised with the Trevi council on the subject “Ape People” was won by an entrant from Rome, who, needless to say, was an Ape owner. Another attraction was the “My Ape: Ape e Territorio” photo exhibition. Then there were “cultural-gastronomic” tours around the splendid town of Trevi, to the Spello oil mill, the Caprai wine cellars in Montefalco and the Clitunno Springs, immortalised by poet Giuseppe Carducci.
Saturday afternoon was enlivened by a contest of team ability starring an Ape Elettrica “EcoBee” (electric version) in the main square, followed at the end of the day by a medieval dinner at the Taverne of the Terzieri, with a menu featuring local gastronomic specialities.
On Sunday, a parade of Ape vans round the special circuit and a picnic, while the smart Ape Calessino was busy the entire weekend providing a shuttle service to and from the Ape Village. EuroApe also provided a display of the Piaggio Commercial Vehicles range, and the enthusiastic young staff included a number of two-wheeler devotees from the Foligno Vespa Club. The rally closed with an award-presentation ceremony, attended by local dignitaries.
Meteorologically speaking too, the weekend was a great success: the two days saw showers all over Italy, except … in Trevi! So the packed program was able to unfold in the best possible conditions.
The talk has already turned to EuroApe 2016: the odds-on favourite venue, yet to be confirmed, is Matera – whose Sassi cave-dwellings are a Unesco World Heritage Site – named as 2019 European Capital of Culture.
PEOPLE
SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS,
THE CHAMPION WHO LOVES THE VESPA
SEVEN OLYMPIC CYCLING MEDALS, A PLURI-WORLD CHAMPION, THE MASTER OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE. THE BRITISH VICTOR IS ALSO A VESPA FAN
Sir Bradley Marc Wiggins, born in Ghent, Belgium, 35 years ago, is a British road and track racing cyclist, and one of today’s most impressive champions. His trophy case is full of Olympic golds and world titles; he is the master of the top international races, from the Tour de France to the Giro d’Italia. In track events, he has won three Olympic golds for pursuit events, one in 2004 at the Athens Games and two in 2008 in Beijing, as well as six world titles; in road events, he won the time trial title at the London Olympics in 2012 and the world championships in 2014, as well as the Tour de France in 2012. He turned professional in 2001. In short, over the last 15 years, Bradley has won just about everything. He recently said he wanted to withdraw from road events in order to concentrate on track competitions, where his drive to win is as strong as ever.
In fact, on 7 June 2015, at the Lee Valley Velopark in London, the Baronet conquered the new Hour Record: 54,526 km after 218 laps on track. The former, established only 37 days earlier, belonged to countryman Alex Dowsett (52,937 km).
In his interviews, as well as cycling “Wiggo” likes to talk about his other interests: music, guitars (he owns a number of rare instruments including a Gibson 345 from 1960) and scooters, above all the Vespa, and his predilection for vintage two-wheelers.
Bradley enjoys being photographed astride the Italian scooter for glossy magazines (like Esquire), in his unmistakably British style. He says that his collection includes a Vespa PX 125 from 1979. When he was a child, he remembers, on Saturday nights in London he would watch groups of young people riding around on their impeccable two-tone scooters. These were the Mods, members of the “Modernist” subculture. The movement, which grew up in London in the 1950s and reached its peak in the 1960s, is consecrated in the film “Quadrophenia” with Sting, and is currently enjoying a resurgence; the “new Mod style” is often associated with Wiggins. As a child, Bradley says he was attracted by a feeling he perceived among Vespa riders: “the sense of belonging to something”. Very true. That sensitive boy (who would later become a world champion) had caught the essence of the Vespa, an evergreen for almost 70 years with the magical ability to bring together in friendship generation after generation of young people from all continents. Not something to be sneezed at.
PEOPLE
IN VIETNAM, “MEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS”
“VESPA SPRINT STYLISH MAN” AWARD
GOES TO MODEL-GENTLEMAN PHAN ANH
Vietnam’s annual “Men of the Year Awards” names winners in a number of categories, with an award-presentation gala organised at the beginning of the following year. At the latest edition, entrants selected by leading magazines competed in 12 categories; well-known names (athletes, architects, personalities from the arts and entertainment) took part alongside people whose “faces” have become familiar during the year (young designers, entrepreneurs, emerging actors and actresses, or groups who have distinguished themselves for a particular reason, even father-son couples). The “Men of the Year 2014” award presentation ceremony was held at the beginning of 2015 at a gala event closely followed by the public, with many important guests and wide media coverage.
One of the brands sponsoring the 2014 Awards was Vespa, through the Piaggio Vietnam subsidiary, which named Phan Anh as winner of the "Vespa Sprint – Stylish Man" award.
The young model owes his success not only to his good looks and comportment, but also to his smart modern style and his public persona as a “metropolitan” gentleman. Phan Anh was the co-star with the Vespa Sprint of a multi-page fashion feature in the Danong magazine.
During the gala evening, Phan Anh was invited on to the stage to receive his prize – a splendid Vespa Sprint scooter (symbolically represented by a huge key, until he takes delivery of the two-wheeler) – and said he was delighted: “Being a stylish man doesn’t just mean following fashion, it’s a question of striking the right balance between look, life style, the ability to communicate, comportment. And I think a man reveals his style and personality not only in his clothes, but also in the vehicle he chooses. I travel a lot for work, and the Vespa is ideal for my needs: smart, excellent performance, but also fuel efficient, and comfortable to ride. And of course its design puts it in a class of its own, which is important for me. The Vespa Sprint gives me everything I want from a scooter. A harmonious blend of classical elegance and modern dynamism, to match my style and my approach to life.”
(Photos: danongmagazine.vn; Piaggio Magazine Asia Pacific).
Markets
THE INCREDIBLE APE
FROM STREET FOOD TO BEAUTY STORE
THE APE IS AT EXPO 2015 OFFERING TASTINGS OF GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS; IT TRAVELS ROUND MILAN TRANSFORMED BY DOLCE&GABBANA AND NIVEA INTO AN ON-THE-ROAD BEAUTY STORE; IN ROME AND FLORENCE, IT FRONTS THE HARD ROCK CAFE ON THE WORLD BURGER TOUR. PIAGGIO’S TIRELESS, VERSATILE AND CHEERFUL CARGO VAN HAS CONQUERED THE TOP BRANDS. THERE’S EVEN A SHAKESPEARE APE THAT MIXES STREET THEATRE & FOOD
Who would have thought that, in the third millennium, Piaggio’s little cargo van, launched in 1948 as a “rib” of the legendary Vespa, would become a glamourous means of transport, employed by top international brands for on-the-road promotion of their products. A key player in street food in many countries for years, more recently the Ape has also been chosen by the top names in fashion and beauty for its important qualities: compact, agile and versatile (specialised outfitters can transform it into a thousand and one guises), the van’s immediately recognisable design means it cannot be mistaken for anything else. With this ID, the cheerful Ape continues to win new ground. Here is a surprising selection of “transformations”.
AT EXPO 2015:
OFFICIAL GADGETS ON SALE
AT THE APE TEMPORARY SHOP
The shops selling the official EXPO 2015 gadgets weren’t ready for the exhibition opening in May. Thank goodness for the Ape: Piaggio’s versatile cargo van was quickly transformed into a temporary shop (a nice market stall with style) to sell t-shirts and the official Expo merchandise.
DOLCE & GABBANA BEAUTY ON THE GO, THE TEMPORARY STORE ON A SICILIAN-STYLE APE
For EXPO 2015, Dolce & Gabbana has launched #DGBeautyOnTheGo, a brightly coloured van that is taking beauty around the streets of Milan for the duration of EXPO, from May to October 2015, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. An original temporary store on three wheels: a jolly Piaggio Ape outfitted, naturally enough, as a typical cart from Sicily, the two stylists’ homeland, to transport the brand’s beauty products. Together with the range of fragrances, lipsticks and nail lacquers, beauty experts and make-up artists are present to provide exclusive personal advice.
MILAN: VISIT THE CITY ON THE NIVEA BLUE BUS, WITH SIX APE BUS STOPS
For EXPO 2015, NIVEA is offering visitors a very special tour of the city. From 2 May to 31 October, from 11.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., the NIVEA Blue Bus takes people on a free tour to discover Milan’s most characteristic districts. The treat is available for old and young, who get on and off the bus at the nearest Linea Blu stop. The audio guide and Milan-inspired playlist make the tour even more interesting. During the trip, passengers can buy admission tickets for EXPO and visit the NIVEA Shop on the lower deck. A special app is available to locate the bus along the route, find the nearest Nivea Bus Stop– created with six branded Ape Cars marking the stop – and find out the times at which the NIVEA Sightseeing Blue Bus will be passing by.
BEAUTY QUEEN APE. Beauty on three wheels: the wheels of the Ape, an unrivalled icon of la dolce vita and Made in Italy. The van had already been chosen by Nivea a few years ago, for the original “Nivea Moving Shop” project, which took Nivea products to Italian squares and beaches, with a qualified beauty consultant on hand to help clients with their purchases from a leading brand in Personal Care.
FROM ROME TO FLORENCE: APE HARD ROCK CAFE FOR THE WORLD BURGER TOUR
After the success in Rome, the Hard Rock Cafe in Florence also took part in the World Burger Tour. And, like its Roman counterpart, the Florentine café installed an itinerant kitchen on a Piaggio Ape Classic 50, decked out in a dazzling orange branded livery. The van made numerous stops around the city, from the central station Santa Maria Novella to shopping malls and the meeting places favoured by young people.
Aboard the Ape, the young staff of the Florentine café prepared Hard Rock specialties in real time for the crowds of fans on the road.
Behind The Scenes of World Burger Tour with Gunnarolla
A Gluten-Free Ape Classic is working at EXPO 2015. The van has been outfitted by the specialist Resti firm, and displays its latest creation: the Oyster roof. The Ape will be on duty for the entire period of the EXPO, next to the Brazil pavilion, and is sponsored by the Italian association for coeliac disease sufferers, for whom it prepares gluten-free products. The initiative has won a warm response from people affected by gluten allergies.
STREET FOOD & THEATRE: THE SHAKESPEARE APE, POETRY AND GOOD FOOD
The first of May – the opening day of EXPO 2015 in Milano – saw the debut of the Shakespeare Ape of the CETEC (the European theatre and prison centre), with the slogan “The Ape that recites and provides food!” It made its debut at the San Vittore Prison with the special Italy Pavilion “Pensando Expositivo”. This is the first Italian Ape car to combine Street Theatre and Street Food, with the irresistible claim: “To bee or not to bee”, a play on Hamlet’s celebrated speech given that the word “ape” means “bee” in English. Theatre and street food so, from the prison to the Castello Sforzesco, and then to the city suburbs. The staff recite verses as they serve the food, a range of old-time delicacies, juices and fruit and vegetable smoothies. The Ape van has been outfitted by the specialist Resti, an Italian firm (www.resti.it).
The van’s artistic and gastronomic activities are coordinated by chefs and actors, who accompany the search for renaissance recipes and the creation of bio snacks and products with verses dedicated to Shakespeare: food for the soul and food for the body. The Ape Car also distributes wholemeal sweet and savoury filled rolls from “Buoni Dentro” (means “good inside”), the bread-making project of the youngsters at the Beccaria young people’s prison, and uses herbs from the Orti di Bollate gardens grown by the Labriola cooperative, giving preference to gastronomic products from Italian prisons. An original business initiative with a social purpose: the aim is assist the rehabilitation of the former inmates turned cooks and actors, after training at the free theatre university and free cookery school at Milan’s San Vittore prison, through preventive action in troubled Milan suburbs, where they organise theatre performances, food and culture, drinks and entertainment for 2015 and beyond.
An idea the great British playwright would appreciate: “’Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, our wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness, or fertilize with our work” (William Shakespeare).
Markets
INDIA: VESPA STORE ONLINE
ON SNAPDEAL.COM
In India, Vespa is on “SnapDeal”, the great Asian nation’s largest online marketplace. The business launched in 2010 now offers 12 million products in 500 categories; it distributes goods in over 500 Indian cities, serves millions of customers (20 million registered users, more than 3,363,000 likes on its Facebook page) and has one thousand employees with an average age of 26. Seventy-five per cent of its sales are handled through mobile devices.
Since May 2015, the entire Vespa India range (VX, S, Elegante) has been available on the SnapDeal platform, in the Automotive category.
Do You Vespa? – The Chosen Ones
Vespa’s launch on SnapDeal was reported in India’s leading daily newspapers, who explained that the initiative of the Piaggio Group’s Indian subsidiary, PVPL (Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited), aims to reach a young local public faster and more easily. Now Vespa fans can buy the iconic scooters with a simple click (and the fastest purchasers also win a great discount!).
LUCA CAPOCCHIANO’S ROUND-THE-WORLD TOUR
AT 80 KPH ON A VESPA 125 TS
EIGHT MONTHS ON THE ROAD, 40,000 KM ACROSS 28 COUNTRIES IN FIVE CONTINENTS. THE GREAT SOLO ADVENTURE OF A YOUNG ENGINEER WITH A PASSION FOR ENGINES
Hats off to Luca Capocchiano, a young engineer from Genoa, who set off for the journey of a lifetime last October, on the saddle of a Vespa 125 TS. His trip is a tribute to courage, the spirit of adventure, the desire to explore places and peoples, and also to learn more about oneself and put oneself to the test. Without doubt, Luca’s solo tour deserves a place on the roll of honour of great Vespa riders who have been travelling round the world for nearly 70 years. His extraordinary journey is detailed in his blog, the source of the info, photos and clips in this article. Here is a video shot by Luca in Nepal before the recent earthquakes.
ilgirodelmondoa80allora Nepal 01
THE RIDER. As he prepared to set off for his adventure, Luca wrote: “My name is Luca Capocchiano, I’m 36 and about to fulfil my lifetime dream: to travel round the world overland on a vintage Vespa scooter. Genoa is my hometown and will be the start and finish of my trip. I’ll soon be leaving, travelling eastward, and after 8 months, 40,000 km and 28 countries, I shall return home from the west. I’m a mechanical engineer and have always been mad about motorbikes, racing and engines. I’ve worked for 8 years running in the World SBK Championship…”.
THE TRAVELLING COMPANION. Already a committed Vesparado (with a “legendary Special 50” and “marvellous 125 GT” from 1967), Luca had to choose a more suitable model for such a challenging trip. After weighing up the considerations of heart and wallet, he opted for a “sporty” sturdy white 125 TS (“Turismo Speciale”), which he painted bright “Positano” yellow (one of the original colours of the Vespa Rally).
ITINERARY AND STAGES OF THE TRIP ilgirodelmondoa80allora INDIA 03
ilgirodelmondoa80allora IRAN
Luca left from Genoa on Sunday 5 October 2014, and headed east, through Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Dubai, Oman, India, and on to Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore (where the Italian Association donated him a full tank of fuel), then Indonesia from where he set sail to reach Australia in May 2015. Wherever he goes, radio, TV and the press are on his trail for interviews about his adventure. The journey continues. Good luck, Luca!
A browse through the Vespa apparel, accessories and merchandise collection turns up a range of items for younger fans of the legendary brand. Examples include
t-shirts in 100% brushed cotton with contrasting front logo, in two versions: a blue t-shirt with a green logo, or light green with a purple logo, available in sizes from 6 to 10 years; a white polo shirt, in 100% washed double cotton pique, with a small blue logo, sewn on the left side and printed on the back (sizes: 5-10 years); practical sweatshirts (colours: pale grey; pale blue; pale green; plum red) with hood, front pockets and contrasting logo (sizes: 4-12 years). It’s fun to coordinate the tops with Mum and Dad’s t-shirts, polo shirts and sweatshirts to create a real “Vespa family”.
Eyewear: the small fan’s look is completed with sunglasses from the Vespa “Kids” line, made in high-quality materials and available in blue and shocking pink. Anti-scratch infrangible lens, with 3 Uv400 protective filter, polycarbonate frames; a lighter shade for the side arms.
Poncho for rain and sea: the cheerful Vespa ponchos for kids are available in two practical models, for use in the rain or at sea. The waterproof cape with hood, available for adults and youngsters, is decorated with a Vespa scooter inspired by the Primavera, which also appears on the holders; colours are yellow and blue.
Meanwhile, the soon-to-launch Vespa Beach collection includes a hooded poncho for children with a Vespa logo. Available in two colour versions: pink/green and blue/purple. Made in polished cotton, the poncho is perfect for the beach or the swimming pool.
A great toy with a touch of class. It’s just like a real Vespa but in a miniature version: this electric scooter with a rechargeable 12 Volt battery is intended for younger Vespa fans: for girls and boys aged 3 and upwards. The Vespa Peg Perego is a faithful reproduction of the legendary Vespa in every detail, in a unisex colour with marvellous chrome details. Much more than a toy!
Vespa
AND A VESPA HELMET TOO
It’s great to ride the Vespa with the Peg Perego helmet! The helmet provides all the protection young riders need, with its type-approved padding. Bearing the Vespa logo, the Peg Perego helmet, for children aged 2 and upwards, complies with UNI EN1080 safety regulations. Its smart beige colour is a perfect match with the Vespa Peg Perego. And it’s also a practical accessory when riding a bike or for other activities. Safety comes first.
From the Winx Club toys collection, here comes Bloom, the fairy of the Dragon Flame, ready to whizz along on her Vespa. In addition to the doll, the box includes a Vespa and a helmet for Bloom.
INDONESIA: RETURN TO PAKUBUWONO,
THE RENDEZVOUS FOR SCOOTER RIDERS
Pakubuwono, South Jakarta, was a popular meeting place for scooter riders in the early 2000s. Vespa clubs and groups of two-wheeler devotees would meet up on Fridays to swap stories, ideas and advice and share their experiences. The weekly meetings were good for the local economy too, and in exchange, Pakubuwono helped enhance scooter activities in Jakarta. Later, for a number of reasons, the place gradually lost popularity.
But on 19 December 2014, a group of Vespa and scooter riders organised an event called “Pakubuwono Strike Back”, to revive Pakubuwono as a meeting place for two-wheeler enthusiasts, beginning with friends of the national Vespa Indonesia club (whose motto is Together united in Vespa), and scooter riders of every type of vehicle.
Daily Scooter Tv - Pakubuwono Scooter Strike Back
The revival began with a rally in Pakubuwono, followed by a ride to Kemang. More than 100 Vesparados took part, accompanied by riders of other makes of scooter. This was followed by a break for refreshments, with excellent food, drinks, a dance competition and live music at Soulkitchen in the modern town of Kemang. The event was like a meeting among old friends, an opportunity to remember the past, together with a crowd of new scooter fans ready to hear their anecdotes and stories, and celebrate what Pakubuwono was and imagine what it will be.
“We had a great time,” said Yuda Anggoro, Marketing Director at Piaggio Indonesia (PID), who was at the celebration. “It was good to get together, to hear everyone’s stories, and meet the members of the various clubs who share a passion for scooters. There was a strong sense of brotherhood among the people taking part, closely linked to the Vespa brand, which has always been a symbol of union (among generations, peoples), of friendship and freedom. So it was an honour for me to represent Piaggio Indonesia at the event, and we can’t wait until the next rally in Pakubuwono.”
THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE
SCOOTERFIXED CLUB IN JAKARTA
Scooterfixed, a new scooter community in Jakarta, has just celebrated its first birthday with more than 150 Vespa fans enjoying games, prizes, music and more besides. The club, consisting largely of Vespa riders (some of whom also belong to other Vespa clubs and communities), is open to all scooter devotees. The aim is to foster solidarity and friendship, consistently with the values of the Vespa brand.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND RALLIES
THE BEST VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE
ROME: A TOUR OF THE ETERNAL CITY
ON THE VESPA 946 EMPORIO ARMANI
We make no apologies for the self-quotation, so keen were we to share this video (filmed in Rome during the photo shoot) starring the brand new scooter, the splendid Vespa 946 Emporio Armani. When you watch the clip, you almost feel you’re on the saddle with the stylish rider, driving at a leisurely pace round some of the Italian capital’s symbolic locations: the Coliseum, the Vittoriano (the national monument to Victor Emanuel II, on the Capitoline hill), just yards away from Piazza Venezia, and up along the Via della Conciliazione into St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Vespa 946 Emporio Armani
The Roman tour immediately brings to mind Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck’s famous scooter ride in the movie “Roman Holiday” (1953), which consecrated the Vespa legend worldwide. Today the Italian style and design icon continues to look towards the future, demonstrating once again its capacity for renewal, as witnessed by the new 946 by Giorgio Armani. Immortal. Like Rome, the “eternal city”.
MY VESPA MOVIE
DICK HUMPTY: UK-ITALY
BACK TO THE ORIGINS OF THE VESPA
More than ten years ago, British collector Neil “Dick Humpty” White set off for Italy to investigate the origins of the Vespa. Gordon Main, producer and director of the video documenting the trip, followed Neil on his tour, whose goal was to find the one place in the world that holds the original documents on the history of the Vespa, and a large collection of vintage models. In other words, the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, in the province of Pisa, Tuscany, a few yards away from the factory that has been producing Vespa scooters for almost 70 years. There to welcome Neil and director Gordon was the first president of the Piaggio Foundation, the late lamented professor Tommaso Fanfani. The trip culminated with a final thrill, a ride on mountain roads together with a group of friends from the Vespa Club of Airole (in the Ligurian province of Imperia).
The video was broadcast last year on “The Great British Channel” (Delta One Media ip), and has become popular on the web, where it attracts appreciative comments not just from Vespa enthusiasts. Take a look.
In Search Of Vespa
YOU AND YOUR VESPA
ON WIDE!
Every Vespa scooter, whatever its age, whatever the model, is a cult object, a collector’s item to be treasured, cared for and kept for years after any other vehicle would have finished its working life. The new WIDE feature “My Vespa Movie” is dedicated to everyone who rides off to work on a brand new Vespa every morning, to everyone who fondly conserves a Vespa handed down in the family from generation to generation, to everyone who lovingly cherishes a vintage Vespa.
MAKE YOUR
VESPA MOVIE!
Make a short video with your Vespa to tell us what the Vespa name means to you. You can tell the story of your scooter or recount a trip you’ve made together. You can include shots of daily life, or evoke the emotions you have shared.
The videos we select will appear on Wide, in the new feature “My Vespa Movie”, to present you and your Vespa, the most special scooter in the world, to Vespa devotees all over the globe. Because every Vespa story is unique.
