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april 17, 2018 - Vespa

VESPA PRIMAVERA - THE HISTORY

The first version of the Vespa Primavera, a model that would become a timeless classic, was unveiled at the 1967 Milan motorcycle show and proved revolutionary: small, nimble and propelled by a perky engine, Primavera gave free flight to several generations and remained in continuous production until 1982. It became a legendary model, but also one of the most spectacular commercial successes in Vespa's history.

Following its presentation in Milan, Vespa Primavera arrived on the market in 1968, incorporating unique and winning characteristics that had featured on other Vespa models in previous seasons. This is why even the first Primavera, the 1968 model, already had its own family tree. Small yet powerful, Vespa Primavera condensed all those qualities that served to power a generation of young people as they took action, as of that very year, to find their own spaces, their own freedom.

The first Vespa to break away from the "relaxed" image offered up until that point was the 1955 GS, with its sports soul and performance level. Born out of the Piaggio Race Department's experience (throughout the 50s, it competed with Vespa in regularity trials, often beating its Italian and foreign competition), the GS was a turning point in Vespa history: fast (it exceeded 100 km/h), innovative (the first 4-speed gearbox) and safe (thanks to its larger 10" wheels).

The 1963 Vespa 50 served as a milestone, introducing the “small shell” concept into the Vespa family. A smaller, more agile and youthful chassis that, created with the minimum engine capacity, immediately proved that it couldn't resist the temptation to grow in both engine capacity and performance.

This was how the Vespa 90 SS came about, in 1966; a special series deriving from the Vespa 50, it was characterised by a top box located between the seat and the steering column to encourage an extended riding position. The sports handlebar was narrow and low, the mudguard and shield were also radically new, tapered to favour speed. With displacement of just 90 cc, it reached 93 km/h.  The “Nuova 125” was also born in 1966 and adopted the small chassis, created with the “Cinquanta”, as well as 10" wheels, a first for the 125.

Mid-way through the roaring 60s, everything was ready for the birth of the youngest Vespa, one that knew how to incorporate all of the best qualities, freshness and speed that had, until then, been split between the various models.

Vespa Primavera immediately became the dream for youngsters. Sixteen-year olds were fascinated by the increase in engine performance compared to the “Nuova 125”. Along with its elegance and lightness, much appreciated by young people, the model's handling and standing start contributed to its extraordinary commercial success. Vespa Primavera remained in the catalogue for 15 years and was flanked, in 1976, by the Primavera ET3 version, a model characterised by its electronic ignition, three transfer ports on the cylinder, a new elongated silencer taken from the 90 SS and an ignition key on the handlebar. All of this translated into even greater performance, reviving the sporting legend of the Primavera.

Vespa Primavera was reborn in 2013 harnessing all those qualities that led to the success of the first version. Young, innovative, technologically cutting-edge, agile and dynamic, and attentive to protecting the environment of which it is part, Vespa Primavera is once again a star of its time, inheriting all the freshness and joie de vivre of its ancestor.

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Automotive Piaggio Group

Automotive Piaggio Group

Automotive Piaggio Group