Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1959 Vespa Micro Car
A fantastic addition to any scooter collection
Estimate
£7, 500 - £9, 500
Registration No: 290 XVP
Frame No: 015969
MOT: Exempt
Vespas 1950s entry into the car market
Powered by a 400cc two stroke engine
Recent full respray, supplied with a V5C
The first Vespa scooter, designed by aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, was produced by Piaggio in Italy in 1946 and proved to be an immediate success, helping the country to get back on its feet after the devastation of WW2. Upon seeing the MP6 prototype for the first time, boss Enrico Piaggio exclaimed "It looks like a wasp!" effectively naming his new scooter on the spot. The company would go on to produce millions of Vespas, but what is not so well known is that they also made a car between 1957 and 1961. In the late 1950s there was a boom in Microcars with many scooter riders wanting to move on to 4 wheels. The car was launched in September 1957 at a lavish event in Monaco with Formula 1 drivers including Fangio and Behra displaying its merits. Powered by a 400cc rear mounted two stroke fan cooled engine, it was only 9' 11" long, 5' shorter than the Fiat 500 launched around the same time. The car proved to be immediately popular, especially in France where it was actually built in Piaggios ACMA factory. The Piaggio family and the Agnelli family were linked by marriage and the legend is that Piaggio was advised to stick to scooters and let Fiat look after cars so the Microcar was discontinued in 1961.
Imported into the UK in 1984, this example has been part of a small private collection that the vendor is now downsizing. Taken to a few local shows in his time of ownership, he has recently treated it to a full respray in Ferrari red. Supplied with a V5C, this rare part of Piaggios history will make a fascinating addition to any scooter collection and a talking point at rallies and shows.
