Consider us as backwards, simpletons, or morons, but we love history, and we love history that has some connection to transport even more. So when the excellent DW.com recently posted a video of a vehicle that could only be European and could only really come from a few of those places (in this case, Italy) we had to feature it. There is a certain amount of urgency, if you will, when it comes to these fading gems, as parts are getting scarce, and there are less and less artisans who can maintain them.
The Piaggio Ape (pronounced ape being Italian for ‘bee’),initially marketed as VespaCar or TriVespa is a three-wheeled light commercial vehicle, manufactured and marketed by Piaggio as an adaptation of the company’s Vespa scooter (vespa being Italian for ‘wasp’). It has been in continuous production since its 1948 introduction and is offered in numerous body configurations, serving a range of utilitarian functions. (Wikimedia.)
As beautiful as any other vehicle, this workhorse fed Italy in the lean years, and so many other countries have picked up the mantle. If you’ve been in a Tuk Tuk. you’ll know what we mean. Read more here.
Believe it or not, you can buy a brand new shiny Ape. You can even buy them in North America. Click here.