Modern Vespa

I ran across this Vespa APE while traveling through a winery in central California.

Interesting... a Vespa truck! Nice...

On a somewhat related note there's a mobile coffee vendor here in Christchurch which goes around making and selling coffee in a Piaggio Ape. Just the other day he drove past my home and I got really excited. I don't know why...

And the van sounds just like a 2-stroke scoot (no surprise there)!

(pity their website only have tiny photos...)

Love those Apes!
I never seem to see them in such good shape in person, so thanks to both of you for sharing

In the UK, there are companies which sell Apes converted into mini coffee-selling-vehicles. I reckon they make a fortune on them, as they're not cheap at all (you could buy 5+ Vespa PX's for the same price, probably 8 or 9 PX's.)

A while ago I stopped and had a chat with the guy who runs the APE.
It helped that I knew how to pronounce the word properly and not like the monkey!!
It is a 50cc model and therefore registered as a moped. Getting anything with a bigger motor means running into all sorts of registration and compliance issues due to seat belts and safety gear.

Hey Wasplover,
You pop down and catch up with the Canscoot crew. Check us out on www.canscoot.co.nz

Steve

Hey Steve, thanks for the invite. Was it you guys who rode to Diamond Harbour two weekends ago?

So how DO you pronounce it???? I don't want to make a fool of myself if I ever see one in person...

-Dan

Brilliant! Thanks!

-Dan

I hope Wikipedia is correct - they're not always right

ah-peh it is.


but just remember... anti pasta means 'against pasta'!

I like it. Even the color is cool !

Does anyone have a pic of the inside of one of these? or where I can find one?

I see them on EBay from time to time...

What winery is that? I think I read Zin Alley on the APE?

We often go for rides up to the Santa Barbara wine country. Before Sideways made it even more popular than it already was!

Yes, Zin Alley near Cambria, Ca central CA. It was very good!
http://www.zinalley.com/index.php

thanks, will make the trip!

Huh, just checked their website, I've ridden past them lots of times w/o stopping! Have to fix that next time.

Is it real alive? Cool!

i really like the exhausts flower in the back of the ape so lovely

Great pictures! I like the Aa Phe...
With this typical front suspension.

We also have a coffee vendor in our club who drives a Ape:










but you also have special Ape's:

lomunchi wrote:

but just remember... anti pasta means 'against pasta'!

sorry, but I think that "anti" comes from the Latin ante who means before.

Realize Vespa!!!!!!!!!

that is not exhausts, that is wine bottle

im thinking of getting one myself,

Thanks for posting the Vespa Porn. I would love to own one someday.

Ran across this Bajaj in Pismo....

you can see the interior in this youtube video. We need these in the states!

the 50cc engine is not to be misunderestimated!

they only come with 50cc engines?

here's mine

Here's one spotted In Amsterdam. Note the open air urinals in the street, now THAT'S a weird experience, take it from me.

Fabulous thread-- I adore the Ape. What a great collection of pix. I love the Zin Alley column of wine bottles !

~Deborah

no, not only, also 2 stroke 180 cc, and diesel engines, but no available on every model....

These are available in South Africa, but it looks like only in the 398cc variety (aparently only a 55km/h max speed - very slow). I have seen one in a local shop done up as a mini coffee shop, that would be a nice little business.

so I found a right model for You and States, just look:

http://www.subito.it/ape-a-merica-grosseto-5821474.htm



Maciej

to the left of the Ape, the silver scooter is an Agility, good to know they are about, never seen another one in person tho

Apes - so much fun on 3 wheels

Great Ape shots!! Here are some more...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gs3vespa/sets/72157614805955897/

Very cool. I was watching this show American Pickers on the History channel. The guy bought a really beat up Ape for $5k. I'm sure you could view it somewhere on Historychannel.com.

up date I've now seen an APE. Shop in Petaluma is selling it as-is for I think $1,200

Ths wiki says Ape (pronounced Ah-pay) Look in the name section.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa[/i]

I saw this one on a T.V. show called American Pickers. Apparently they go to barns and buy junk. This one was purchased for 5K and sold for 6K. It's magnificent. They also seemed to have several vintage Vespas in their showroom