I’ve never driven one. I fell off a motorcycle once. But living in San Francisco now, I’ve decided to abandon my car and I’m having fantasies more often of driving one of these little go-go bikes around town. I can just imagine how the Vespa will make me look even cuter with my Missoni scarf blowing in the wind.
I have always found it strange why the Vespa is perceived as cute. It is a rather utilitarian way of getting around, and with it’s ex-airplane engine, wheels and overall construction it is a direct remnant of the second world war. It was nevertheless a revolutionary thing for the time, and a far cry from such overtly technocratic things such as motorcycles. It covered up all the oily bits with an attractive sheetmetal veil, transforming its image but not its function.
This relation between fashionabilty, sales numbers, perception and WWII roots has really only been seen again in the VW Beetle.
Must be an Axis power thing, I guess.
Wind in your hair… An excuse to sing “Volare” at the top of your lungs — don’t swallow any bugs. Only reason to stop would be a Sigaro Toscano and an espresso.
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I’ve never driven one. I fell off a motorcycle once. But living in San Francisco now, I’ve decided to abandon my car and I’m having fantasies more often of driving one of these little go-go bikes around town. I can just imagine how the Vespa will make me look even cuter with my Missoni scarf blowing in the wind.
December 6th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I’ve always wanted a Vespa because they seem so incredibly fun!
December 24th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Vespa 98 is fantastic motorcycle
January 12th, 2009 at 4:58 am
I have always found it strange why the Vespa is perceived as cute. It is a rather utilitarian way of getting around, and with it’s ex-airplane engine, wheels and overall construction it is a direct remnant of the second world war. It was nevertheless a revolutionary thing for the time, and a far cry from such overtly technocratic things such as motorcycles. It covered up all the oily bits with an attractive sheetmetal veil, transforming its image but not its function.
This relation between fashionabilty, sales numbers, perception and WWII roots has really only been seen again in the VW Beetle.
Must be an Axis power thing, I guess.
May 8th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Wind in your hair… An excuse to sing “Volare” at the top of your lungs — don’t swallow any bugs. Only reason to stop would be a Sigaro Toscano and an espresso.