How did Vespa become Vespa?
Piaggio (the company that makes Vespa) started as a timber machining company in 1884. It soon moved into making ship parts. By the end of the century, Piaggio was also producing rail carriages, goods vans, luxury coaches and engines, trams and special truck bodies. When airplanes got off the ground in the early 1900's, Piaggio started with the wood and canvas planes that were taking flight. Piaggio found great success as a plane manufacturer, becoming one of Italy's largest producers of airplanes and seaplanes. During World War II, American soldiers used scooters to maneuver around Italy during their occupation. They made quite an impression on Enrico Piaggio. Enrico saw the potential in a small, mass market, consumer mobility vehicle.
A motor scooter was produced based on a small motorcycle made for parachutists. The prototype, known as the MP5, was nicknamed "Paperino" (the Italian name for Donald Duck) because of its strange shape, but Enrico Piaggio did not like it, so he tasked one of his aeronautical engineers, Corradino D'Ascanio, with redesigning it. But the Corradino didn't like motorcycles. He found them uncomfortable and bulky with wheels that were difficult to change after a puncture. Worse still, the drive chain made them dirty. However, his aeronautical experience found him in good stead. To eliminate the chain he imagined a vehicle with a stress-bearing body and direct mesh. To make it easier to ride, he put the gear lever on the handlebar. To make tire changing easier he designed not a fork, but a supporting arm similar to an aircraft carriage. Finally, he designed a body that would protect the driver so that he would not get dirty or disheveled. In 1946, Corradino presented Enrico with his prototype.
The history of Piaggio in a gif:
Check out the Stanley Scooters history page for even more on the history of the Vespa.
Per Vespa on what Vespa means:
"The brilliant inventor took as his starting point the prototype, on which he implemented a series of revolutionary changes. He eliminated the drive chain, with the wheel driven directly from the transmission, put the gear lever on the handlebar, designed a monocoque frame and enclosed bodywork to protect the rider. In April 1946, the MP6 prototype took shape. Seeing it for the first time, Enrico Piaggio commented: "\Sembra una vespa!\" (it looks like a wasp). He gave the go-ahead for mass production of the first Vespa 98 cc, offering luxury optional features like a speedometer, a side stand and stylish white-trim tires."
In 1953, Piaggio produced it's 500,000th Vespa. That same year, Audrey Hepburn made her cinematic splash opposite Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday. She not only won an Oscar for her performance, her brief few minutes driving through Rome on a Vespa inspired another 60 movies over the next decade to include the spunky scooter.
In 1984, Piaggio added automatic transmission to the Vespa, making it an even easier, more enjoyable riding experience. Today, you can get a 2-year, unlimited mile warranty on your new purchase with 1-year, unlimited mile roadside assistance. See what we have that strikes your fancy.
Do you need a motorcycle license to drive a Vespa in Maine?
Maine has two different classes of scooters, motor scooters and mopeds.
Vespas come in a few different models with different engine sizes, but none of them fit the motor scooter class. For posterity, though, Maine defines a motor scooter as having 2 or 3 wheels with wheels less than 10 inches in diameter. The gas-powered motor must be less than 25 cc. If the scooter has an electric motor, it cannot exceed 750 watts. To drive one of these, you only need a valid driver license of any class. (They don't need registered or inspected either!)
Mopeds are defined by Maine as motorized vehicles with 2 or 3 wheels that are 10 inches or larger in diameter. Mopeds can have electric motors under 1,500 watts or liquid fuel motors that do not exceed 50 cc. Mopeds are automatic and should not require shifting. They also can have foot pedals. Vespa 50 models (like the Primavera 50 or the Sprint 50) are actually 49.4 cc, so all you need is a valid driver license to operate! Maine also offers a special moped driver license, if you wish. You do have to register a moped-classed vehicle in Maine, but it doesn't need inspected.
Vehicles over 50 cc (like the Sprint 150 and Primavera 150) do require a motorcycle license to operate, which requires a written and a road test.
If you have any questions, be sure to check with your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
In 1984, Piaggio added automatic transmission to the Vespa, making it an even easier, more enjoyable riding experience. Today, you can get a 2-year, unlimited mile warranty on your new purchase with 1-year, unlimited mile roadside assistance. See what we have that strikes your fancy.
Do you need a motorcycle license to drive a Vespa in Maine?
Maine has two different classes of scooters, motor scooters and mopeds.
Vespas come in a few different models with different engine sizes, but none of them fit the motor scooter class. For posterity, though, Maine defines a motor scooter as having 2 or 3 wheels with wheels less than 10 inches in diameter. The gas-powered motor must be less than 25 cc. If the scooter has an electric motor, it cannot exceed 750 watts. To drive one of these, you only need a valid driver license of any class. (They don't need registered or inspected either!)
Mopeds are defined by Maine as motorized vehicles with 2 or 3 wheels that are 10 inches or larger in diameter. Mopeds can have electric motors under 1,500 watts or liquid fuel motors that do not exceed 50 cc. Mopeds are automatic and should not require shifting. They also can have foot pedals. Vespa 50 models (like the Primavera 50 or the Sprint 50) are actually 49.4 cc, so all you need is a valid driver license to operate! Maine also offers a special moped driver license, if you wish. You do have to register a moped-classed vehicle in Maine, but it doesn't need inspected.
Vehicles over 50 cc (like the Sprint 150 and Primavera 150) do require a motorcycle license to operate, which requires a written and a road test.
If you have any questions, be sure to check with your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
