The 23 April is not only St George’s Day but also the date publically acknowledged as the birth day of the Vespa scooter…. 80 years ago in 1946!
Yes, it is hard to believe that the first Vespa scooters rolled off the Piaggio production lines in Italy all those years ago! What started a humble, post-war vehicle designed as a cheap form of transport to mobilise a nation has become a global phenomenon with barely a corner of the planet that has not been visited by a Vespa rider at some time or another!
Regular readers of ScooterNova magazine may recall back in 2021 we celebrated 75 years of Vespa in edition 23 of ScooterNova magazine by looking back at the roots of the first Piaggio scooter and the inspiration behind it, along with the first Vespa itself.
In edition 54 (March/April 2026) we published the first of a two part series of articles by Matthew Phillips celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Vespa by looking at the early years of Piaggio. That first instalment included Piaggio’s post-war business along with the launch of the Vespa, inmclufdinmg it’s unveiling in March 1946 (the article also explains the 23 April date).
In the brand new May/June 2026 edition 55, Matthew concludes by looking at how Piaggio’s Vespa grew from a local transport solution to one that would mobilse the world. Meticulously researched the article also includes some wonderful and rare archive images of the early years too.
So whether you are a diehard, lifelong Vespa fan or a recent convert, join us in celebrating 80 years of an international icon – Happy Birthday Vespa!
And if you want to brush up on your Vespa history, the brand new edition 55 of ScooterNova is now available from all good scooter shops along with branches of TG Jones and WH Smith throughout the UK. You can also buy ScooterNova magazines from our online store, including the March/April edition 54 (while stocks last). Click here to browse our magazines.
