The Return of A Road Classic

Symbol of la dolce vita has new Canadian life as Vespa finally makes its way to our streets

The Vespa has returned to Canada. The world-famous Italian motorized scooter, which began life as practical transport during post-World War II recovery years and grew to symbolize la dolce vita - the good life - is now being sold by Canadian retailers after an almost 20-year absence from the domestic market.
"We're thrilled to be bringing these stylish, easy-to-ride scooters back to Canada," says Morey Chaplick, President of Canadian Scooter Corporation, the Vespa's exclusive importer and distributor in this country. "The power, compact size, ease of operation and unparalleled handling of the Vespa makes it the ideal mode of urban transportation for both the young and the young-at-heart," Chaplick says.
The transport design classic Vespa was born in the aftermath of the Second World War. Pontedera-based airplane manufacturer Piaggio had had its factory destroyed during the war, but the son of company founder Rinaldo Piaggio was determined to carry on. Enrico Piaggio focused his company's energy on an inexpensive vehicle with mass appeal and helicopter inventor Corradino D'Ascanio came up with the Vespa design. Its unique monocoque body, prominent headlight and overall aerodynamic quality remain to this day. Sixteen million Vespas have been sold worldwide since it was introduced in Italy in the late 1940s. The scooter is perhaps the single-most recognized product of the Italian design industry of the last 50 years.
Canadian Scooter Corporation is distributing two Pontedera-made Piaggio Vespas in Canada. The ET4 has a 150-cc four-stroke engine and retails at $5,500. The $4,100 ET2 has a smaller 50-cc two-stroke engine. The more powerful Granturismo model is expected to be introduced here later this year. The Vespa ("wasp" in Italian) buzzed off the Canadian market in 1986 after new emissions legislation effectively banned the motorized icon from Canadian roads. The new models, available in white, black, silver and red, conform to current vehicle emissions standards.
Despite almost two decades of unavailability - or perhaps because of it - the cult appeal of the Vespa has continued to grow. Along with its Italian history as a practical people mover, the storied scooter became a popular means of transport among European youth in the 1960s. This phenomenon was perhaps most intense in England, where the road bike was an essential part of the British "mod" lifestyle. (The mods were part of the first British generation to emerge from post-war economic austerity.) In Toronto today, a College Street-centered revival of the original 1960s mod music scene has meant that vintage Vespas can often be seen on local streets.
With new Vespas available to Canadians, it will be interesting to see if mod revivalists trade their vintage vehicles for the new Piaggio models. Beyond this dedicated group, Morey Chaplick will have to convince the uninitiated of the Vespa's desirability. If he's successful, Toronto streets may be a lot more stylish this summer.

Publication Date: 2004-05-16
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3961