The Vespa is to Italy what Sushi is to Japan.
Ever since the first Vespa rolled off the Piaggio production line in 1946 the brand has become an icon.
From songs written about it, to starring in classic movies the bike has become synonymous with Italy and its culture.
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The first bikes were produced out of aircraft spare parts after WWII.
At the time the Piaggio brand was involved in the aerospace industry.
It saw the need for an affordable but reliable transport solution and that is how Vespa was born!
Such was the popularity of the brand that it took just over ten years for the one millionth bike to be sold.
The name comes from the Italian translation for “bee” which is the sound the engine of the bike makes!
There are now over 18 million Vespa bikes across all five continents.
You will not need to spend too much time looking out for one since they are very popular in Malta too!
The brand has been present in Malta for over 45 years thru M. Demajo & Company Ltd.
Some owners customise their bikes with all sorts of accessories, but the real showstoppers are the special edition Vespas the brand releases from time to time!
Check out some of the most iconic models of all time!
The 946 Christian Dior
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Nothing says joie de vivre like a collab between the Italian brand and the Paris Couture House both founded in 1946.
Talk about a match made in heaven!
The Justin Bieber Edition
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This collab saw a sleek monochrome edition of the Sprint model released.
Justin Bieber is known to be a fan of the brand and was photographed by paparazzi riding a Vespa many times.
However this collab, complete with flame decals, took things to a whole new level!
The Racing Sixties
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The decade which saw the birth of the Barbie doll, Beatlemania and the Lava Lamp was also a legendary period in motorsport.
With its decals and detailing inspired from that era the brand sought to pay homage to the “gentlemen racers”.
The (RED) Bellissima
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2018 saw the release of an all-red version of the Vespa 946.
This association with (RED) helped fund initiatives fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The 946 Emporio Armani
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There is also a special edition of the 946 in commemoration of the Giorgio Armani’s brand 40th anniversary.
In keeping with Armani’s signature style the colour combination of this model was unique.
Green hints under grey bodywork are only visible under certain lighting conditions.
The Sean Wotherspoon Limited Edition
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It doesn’t get more bold than this!
The 80s inspired colourway also features velvet corduroy seats!
The streetwear designer collab with Vespa has already become a favourite amongst collectors.
The Mickey Mouse Edition
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2023 marks the 100 year anniversary of Disney and to celebrate Vespa announced a Mickey Mouse edition of its Primavera model.
The yellow represents Mickey’s shoes and black mirrors his round ears!
And of course the colour scheme would not be complete without a touch of red.
It is only a matter of time before the Mickey Mouse edition hits the Maltese roads!
Vespa Elettrica
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As the automotive industry adapts to new realities so does this brand!
The super silent electric Vespa bike might be missing the distinctive ‘bee’ sound but is a glimpse into the future of urban scooters.
The electric model comes in a choice of two different engines and is as tech savvy as they get!
There is now also a (RED) version of the electric motorbike!
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There are literally hundreds of combinations to have your own distinctive Vespa.
And now that we’ve gotten you hooked driving off riding one is super simple.
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Your first stop? The Piaggio Showroom in Valley Road Msida!
