Vespa is one of the oldest known names
in scooters, partly because of their long
run in the industry. For nearly 60 years
Vespa scooters have been manufactured
and used as a primary or secondary from
of transportation. Originally an Italian
company, Vespa scooters were designed
to replace bicycles for a better means
of transportation. The name Vespa is translated
into "wasp" in English, which
was what the original body style resembled.
Several Vespa scooter models still made
have similarities to the original body
design, but still many other designs have
been made through the company.
The smallest and least powerful Vespa
scooters have 50 cc engines while the
largest and most powerful engines from
Vespa are 200 cc. Vespa scooter engines
of all sizes in between are also made
to accommodate every type of driver. Since
the beginning of Vespa scooters their
popularity has spread across the world.
Other companies have bought licenses to
manufacturer and distribute Vespa scooters
in nearly every country. Their popularity
grew in part because of the convenient
transportation alternative Vespa scooters
originally created in cities and countries
that greatly needed them to continue growth.
Though new models of Vespa scooters are
still being designed and sold, the older,
original models have become a valued
possession, now considered vintage. Vintage
Vespas are yypically those that have the
first designed body style.
Long-time supporters of Vespa scooters
look to purchase older Vespa models so
they can refurbish them and show off their
new looking vintage Vespa. Vintage Vespas
are not only valuable because of likeness;
they are valuable monetarily as well,
which is the main appeal to some collectors.
The parent company of Vespa scooters
is Paggio who, in 2000, certified several
Vespa Vintage Restoration Shops. These
restoration locations where certified
because Paggio saw that each shop had
a keen and familiar understanding of mechanically
working with old or vintage Vespa scooters
as well as with the newer models. There
are unique servicing methods and requirements
for Vespa scooters, along with old designs
of parts that need special attention.
The certified Vespa Vintage shops are
where the company recommends you take
your vintage scooter to ensure quality
service.
Through the Vespa scooter catalog you
can order Vespa Vintage parts for remodeling
old Vespas. The parts are certified original
because they are made from the original
drawings used to design the first Vespa
scooters. Parts for other Vespa scooters
can be purchased through the Vespa catalog
or from scooter parts retailers online.
For extreme advocates of Vespa scooters,
new or vintage, there are Vespa clubs
in some cities that help bring together
those with common interests.
Online Vespa scooter sites provide a
medium to contribute your thoughts or
questions about Vespa scooters. These
sites offer all varieties of information
about Vespa, such as events involving
the Vespa brand of scooters, releases
of the newest models and books or other
publications with Vespa scooter information.
Beginner and experienced information can
be found at the numerous Vespa scooter
sites to help Vespa owners keep up with
the latest.
Article by Mitch Johnson
