‘Vespa Culture’ Category

VESPA IS CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VESPA 50CC AND YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE!

In 1963, the Vespa 50cc motor scooter became an instant hit with the Italian youth and the transportation craze soon spread throughout Europe. For the next five weeks on LaVespaVita.com we’ll document the impact the Vespa 50cc scooter had on the transportation and cultural landscape since its 50cc engine inception.

Vespa 50cc History – Each Monday, Vespa will be sharing exclusive content about the history of the Vespa 50cc, from archived vintage advertisements to rare technical drawings.

Vespa Pop Culture by the Decade – Every Wednesday Vespa will revisit important art, pop culture, fashion, music, and films from each decade, with a uniquely Vespa perspective.

How Do You Vespa? – Each Friday, Vespa will feature passionate Vespa owners who share their stories and photos of their favorite experiences aboard a Vespa.

Photo courtesy of Piaggio: Vespa 50 Rivista; Actress Grazia Maria Spina.

Get involved and get empowered! We invite you to share photos and stories about your experiences with Vespa and the Vespa 50cc scooter. Simply post them here on LaVespaVita.com or use the hashtag #VESPAVITA on Twitter and/or Instagram.

Did you fall in love with Vespa as an exchange student in Italy? Are you summering with Vespa? If so, we want to hear where you’re going and what you’re doing on two-wheels. Is your Vespa aboard your boat? Are you riding your Vespa in the city to beat public transportation and the underground subway heat? Short day trips to the beach in your area? Is your Vespa on the back of your RV for quick ‘in to town’ trips while vacationing?

Submit photos and your stories by using the hash tag #VESPAVITA on Twitter and/or Instagram to help us create a digital timeline of beautiful images of Vespas and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vespa 50cc scooter. All submissions will be automatically added to La Vespa Vita’s mosaic gallery of photos.

ROAD TRIP FROM TUCSON, AZ TO HOUSTON, TX

In 1958, Thomas Barnes was serving the Air Force and decided to embark on a motorcycle trip from Tucson, AZ to Houston, TX on his recently purchased Vespa. It was a five horsepower engine, deluxe model with a continental kit, luggage rack and stand.

His decision to take this trip was inspired by stories that he had heard of people who had taken motorcycle trips across country. Soon after his decision, he packed his bags and hit the road to Texas. “I felt free as a bird riding a calm wind as I listened to the vibration of the scooter,” said Barnes in an article published on Scooter City Sacramento.

Barnes wearing his Air Force uniform on his Vespa in 1958.

One of the most challenging moments during his trip was when he encountered a steep hill and stormy weather in Arizona. At one point, he almost got into an accident when he was run off the road by a car and was forced down an embankment.

In the end, he made it to Austin, TX on his Vespa as he had envisioned. “The road to Austin was rough and rugged, but the Vespa was still going strong. I survived the ride without having any breakdowns or repairs,” stated Barnes.

Barnes on a Vespa in 2011.

To read more about Barnes’ road trip click here.

FOR THE LOVE OF VESPAS AND MOD CULTURE

Steven Rojas, Director of Social Media and Promotions at Soho & Tribeca Grand Hotels, is a true Vespa fanatic and he has proof. “I don’t just like Vespa. I love Vespa,” said Rojas. He purchased his first Vespa a few summers ago, a Silver PX150, and that year he convinced six people to buy Vespas so they could start a modern “mod gang.”

Photo by Jonathan Perkel

Rojas has always been highly influenced by mod culture; one of his favorite films is Quadrophenia which is about the mod movement that emerged in the 1960s and the soundtrack is by British band The Who.

In order to make his Vespa more “mod” he customized it with lights on the front.

Photo by Jonathan Perkel

After discovering his passion for mod culture and style he started to dress very mod as well, “it was one of the starting points for me to get into my suit obsession,” said Rojas, “I cut my hair shaggy and only wore suits around town.”

1959: THE FIRST VESPA GROUP RIDE IN AMERICA?

When Vespas began to arrive on the shores of the United States in the 1950s, they gained quick popularity – not only were they stylish, but urbanites immediately saw the advantage to easing traffic congestion. In 1957 alone, over 10,000 units were exported to the United States from Italy. Naturally, with such an influx, Vespa fans began to congregate together, and still do, to this day.

Around the country today, you can always find scooter rallys and scooter rides with other Vespa fans. A few years ago, Piaggio employees and some New York Vespa enthusiasts (seen below) took part in the Columbus Day Parade, cruising up 5th Avenue in front of thousands.

Which got us thinking – what was the first large Vespa ride in America? The earliest evidence of one we could find was the Broadway Show League’s May 1959 ride (seen below) through New York City streets involving almost two hundred Vespisti. Considering how early on in Vespa’s American history this was, that’s a pretty big group!

What’s the biggest Vespa ride you’ve taken part in?