Scooter Vespa - a legendary scooter, known throughout the world, the dream of millions

The founder of the European school of scooters - the world famous Vespa scooter (photos are presented on the page) - was designed in an Italian company owned by aviation engineer Enrico Piaggio. The main distinguishing feature of a two-wheeled vehicle is a frameless structure.

Compact and technologically advanced model

Instead of the frame for the first time, a load-bearing body was used, the stamped modules of which were connected in one piece by spot welding. The engine with a horizontally arranged cylinder included a three-speed gearbox with a gearshift mechanism located on the handlebars. The rear drive wheel was directly mounted on the secondary shaft of the gearbox. The entire power plant weighed 26 kilograms and was located on a hollow pendulum fork.

The motor protruding to the right of the longitudinal axis of the motor scooter was closed with a stamped casing with slots for cooling. On the left side there was a symmetrical arrangement of the same casing in which the trunk was located. Access to the interior of the box was arranged through a small hatch with a lock. The fuel tank with a capacity of 12 liters was located under a removable seat.

The Vespa scooter was launched in series production in April 1946. Its various modifications are still available today.

Power is not the main thing

The most popular in the fifties was the Vespa scooter (model LX 50). A small engine of 49 cubic inches / cm provided traction in 3.5 hp, which was quite enough for driving at a speed of 60 km / h.

In 1948, the engine capacity was increased to 125 hp, respectively, and increased power, which amounted to 4.5 hp.

In 1953, the working volume of the cylinder was brought to 150 cubic meters per cubic centimeter, the power increased to 5.5 hp. After that, the engine was no longer upgraded.

Many plants around the world sought to obtain a license for the production of Vespa. This was done by the German company Hoffman, the British aviation company Douglas, the French firm Volose-leke. In the USSR, too, the production of Vespa was started, but without a license. It was an exact copy of an Italian scooter, which was called "Vyatka". The Soviet analogue was produced from 1957 to 1966.

Popularity

Vespa scooter has not changed for decades, it was the rare case when the developers could not "reduce or add anything", the scooter was perfect in all respects. He was always in the spirit of the times and met the requirements of all generations. The Vespa scooter and pensioners and senior pupils bought the popularity of the compact car, manufacturers barely had time to deliver their products to the market.

Scooter became a symbol of post-war Europe, when there were no cars, and people needed to somehow move around. Vespa helped to survive the impassability, the scooter occupied an empty niche of transport for personal use. Thanks to its impeccable design and affordable price, the scooter has become the most successful and popular in the whole world.

In Europe there has been a real boom in motor scooters, in 1949 35 thousand machines came off the assembly line, and in 1955 the output reached one million. Production was established on an industrial scale in Germany and France, Belgium, Britain and Spain.

Scooter artistry

By the beginning of the sixties Vespa scooter began to integrate into art, an elegant and compact scooter was filmed in the cinema, he participated in various productions, appeared here and there. After "Vespa" was shown in the film "Roman holidays", where it was driven by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, the scooter became the dream of millions of moviegoers. On it went an outrageous impressionist artist Salvator Dali. Moreover, he called his scooter on behalf of Galina's wife, wrote on the front panel of Gala.

And Hollywood celebrities, and ordinary people from cities and villages, hastened to get "Vespa". Scooter was not a matter of prestige, but it became an idol for Europeans, as well as for many Americans.

As demand always creates supply, firms began to produce sports modifications. There was a scooter Vespa LX 50 with the forced motor. This scooter received additional opportunities. The Vespa scooter, whose maximum speed under normal conditions did not exceed seventy kilometers per hour, could now reach 100 km / h. At the same time the car moved smoothly, well kept the road and confidently passed steep turns.

Variety in production

However, in general, the Vespa scooter is still available in three versions: with an engine capacity of up to 100 cc / cm for city streets and short trips; With a motor of 125 cc / cm, more powerful, for driving in the extended range; And, finally, sports models with a 150 cc / cm engine and 7-horsepower traction.

Supermodels such as GTS 300ie were also produced, which were equipped with an engine with a thrust of 22 hp, allowing the speed to reach 130 kilometers per hour. These machines are the most powerful in the model range of Vespa.

Popularity

The popularity of the scooter "Vespa" is phenomenal, for the whole history of its production there was not a single example of worthy competition from similar means of transportation. All over the world, clubs of legendary scooter owners are open. Dealers' salons also operate in many countries in all developed countries. The lists of clients often include celebrities, movie stars and writers, successful couturiers and famous scientists. The superstar of Hollywood Mila Jovovich does not part with the beloved Vespa of 1964 release. Kinodiva Ursula Andress prefers to come to Vespa to the embassy of a foreign country, being invited to the Raut. After all, you can ride a scooter in an evening dress and a beach suit.