Vespa celebrates incredible milestone on 75th birthday

Over 19 million Vespa units have been produced, with the impressive milestone coinciding with the Italian manufacturer’s 75th anniversary.

Almost two million of those units have left the factory in the past decade, showing that the company is as strong as ever, with a presence in 83 countries around the world.

The exact unit that saw Vespa surpass 19 million was a GTS 300 in the 75th Anniversary Special Edition guise. It was assembled in the Pontedera plant in Italy, where Vespa manufacturing has taken place since its inception in 1946.

The Vespa GTS 300 is powered by a 278cc single-cylinder engine good for 23.8hp at 8250rpm and 26Nm at 5250rpm. The special 75th Anniversary models feature an exclusive 'Giallo 75th' metallic yellow paint scheme, a new saddle, and a chrome-plated luggage rack with bag.

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Focusing primarily on scooters, Vespa was founded in 1946 out of a desire to ‘create an innovative product for individual mobility’. The first Vespa was a 98cc two-stroke single, while a 125cc model was introduced in 1948.

In 1953, Vespa entered into a long relationship with popular culture, with appearance in the classic American romantic comedy, Roman Holiday. The film starred Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.

In 1980, four Vespa PX units participated in the gruelling Dakar Rally, while in 1992, journalist Giorgio Bettinelli rode a Vespa from Rome to Saigon.The Italian company is continuing to innovate, with its first electric model arriving in 2018. It also recently collaborated with luxury fashion brand, Christian Dior for a special Vespa 946 Christian Dior model.