Vespa’s story began in post-war Italy in 1946. The scooter offered more than a way to get around: it approached two-wheeled transport differently, making engineering and outward form serve everyday use rather than a racing image.
Enrico Piaggio asked aeronautical engineer Corradino d’Ascanio for an economical vehicle that was easy to ride without dirtying clothes. The MP6 precursor placed the gear control on the handlebar and the engine by the rear wheel; its front suspension arrangement made wheel changes easier.
The later 1955 Vespa GS 150 belongs to New York’s MoMA architecture and design collection. Its materials include painted steel, rubber, leather and plastic: familiar everyday engineering that has also become a museum object.
The 1966 Vespa 150 Sprint pictured here is not the original MP6. It shows a later generation’s silhouette. When looking at a classic scooter, notice not just the paintwork but how the shape creates a place for the rider.