In 1976 Piaggio fielded the ultimate version of the Vespa Primavera to the market. ET3 stood for Elettronica 3 Travasi, a reference to its electronic ignition and third overflow. With that came a substential increase in power up to 7 HP, enough for 85 km/h. A new exhaust pipe was called ET3-Banana. Until the arrival of the PK-models, which brought an end to the Smallframe era, the ET3 remained the spearhead of the series.

The ET3 was built for eight years until 1983. What only few people know is that while production for the European market ceased, it continued for far away countries for another ten years until mid-1993. The strongest target market was Japan. The number of those models built remains a mystery, though. According to their fate they were called mercato estero.

There is not much to say about this Primavera ET3, except for, please take a look at the odometer. The number there, 1,158, needs no further comment and the ET3 looks exactly like that. After 27 years it still looks almost untouched and another such maiden example will probably be very hard to find.

Chassis: VMB1T*150051*, Motor: VMB1M*155117*, Österreichische Einzelgenehmigung (Austrian papers)