Vespa It is an anniversary, specifically celebrating its 80th birthday, and that is why today we want (and must) review some of the brand’s most relevant models throughout its history. All of them have been key to turning the iconic Italian model into the living myth that it is.
In addition, they share the same design philosophy where practicality and functionality are combined in the most successful way possible with that characteristic style that only the “Made in Italy”. In short, a standard in the two-wheeled sector that has been delighting fans for eight decades.
Vespa 98 from 1946
He April 23, 1946, Piaggio & CSpA. patented in Florence a “motorcycle with a rational assembly of components and elements, with an integrated chassis, fenders and a hood that covered the entire mechanical part”as the brand explains well. It was the first Vespa, equipped with a 98 cc, two-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine, which delivered 3.2 HP at 4,500 rpm.
Its maximum speed was 60km/h and was marketed in two versions and with two prices: 55,000 lire for the “normal” model and 61,000 lire for the “luxury” model, which included optional extras such as a speedometer, side stand and elegant tires with white sidewalls.
Vespa 150 GS from 1955
Often considered the most beautiful scooter ever produced, the 150 GS It is a milestone in the history of Vespa. The GS was a revolution: Vespa, born as a “silent” vehicle, was reinvented as a sporty, youthful and fast vehicle. The GS was the first with a 4-speed gearbox, the first with large 10-inch wheels and the first to overcome the 100 km/h barrier.
Its success was immediate and resounding. The years of initial reconstruction were behind us, and the legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the first rebellious youth arrived from the United States. The Vespa GS embodied the dreams of a generation, becoming a legend piloted by a very young Sting in the musical film Quadrophenia, based on the rock masterpiece by The Who.
Vespa 50 from 1963
The first 50cc scooter It was created to comply with the new regulations of the Italian Highway Code, which required vehicles with larger displacement to carry a license plate. Versatile and reliable, it featured a newly designed engine with the cylinders inclined at 45° instead of horizontally.
It was just over 1.6 meters long, had a wheelbase of just 1,116 mm and weighed 66kg. Colourful, light and incredibly easy to drive, it immediately became the favorite vehicle of teenagers across Europe.
1977 Vespa PX
The Vespa PXpresented at the 1977 Milan Motor Show, remained in production for 30 years. A milestone that very few vehicles, and not just two wheels, can boast of. A record that is even more exceptional if we consider the extraordinary distribution that this great classic achieved.
With more than 3,000,000 units sold On all continents, one million of them corresponded to the 150 cc version, making it the best-selling model in the history of the brand.
Vespa GTS 310 from 2025
The call “Vespone” (due to its large body), it is the fastest, sportiest and most robust in the Vespa range. Popular all over the world and a true icon of “Made in Italy”, it is perfect for urban trips thanks to its easy handling, but also for traveling beyond the city.
Thanks, among other things, to being powered by an efficient 310 cc 4-stroke liquid-cooled engine, the most powerful in the history of the brand. The GTS range offers refined styling details and extensive standard equipment, including ABS brakes, ASR traction control and keyless entry system.
Vespa Primavera 125 from 2026
Compact size, youthful and light lines, brilliant performance, simplicity and a pleasure to ride: the Vespa Primavera arrived at the end of the 60s as a breath of fresh air and was a worldwide success. Even today, the new Vespa Primavera and the Vespa Sprint S They represent the youthful and urban spirit of the firm.
Ultra-modern, designed to experience mobility with the elegance of an exclusive design, without sacrificing comfort or unique technical solutions, such as the all-steel body. For more information and details about the current Vespa range you can consult its official website or visit your nearest authorized dealer.
