The Vespa was my favourite ride in my salad days. From their inception, Vespa scooters have been known for their painted,
pressed steel unibody which combines a complete cowling for the engine
(enclosing the engine mechanism and concealing dirt or grease), a flat
floorboard (providing foot protection), and a prominent front fairing
(providing wind protection) into a structural unit.
Post World War II Italy, in light of its agreement to cessation of war
activities with the Allies, had its aircraft industry severely restricted in
both capability and capacity.
Piaggio emerged from the conflict with its Pontedera fighter plane plant
demolished by bombing. Italy's crippled economy and the disastrous state of the
roads did not assist in the re-development of the automobile markets. Enrico
Piaggio, the son of Piaggio's founder Rinaldo Piaggio, decided
to leave the aeronautical field in order to address Italy's urgent need for a
modern and affordable mode of transportation for the masses.
The inspiration for the
design of the Vespa dates back to Pre-World War II Cushman scooters
made in Nebraska, USA. These olive green scooters were in Italy in large
numbers, ordered originally by Washington as field transport for
the Paratroops and Marines. The US military had used them to get
around Nazi defense tactics of destroying roads and
bridges in the Dolomites (a section of the Alps) and the
Austrian border areas.
Thank you Cadence from Malaysia for this
lovely card.
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