With World War II over Enrico Piaggio, son of the company‘s founder, was facing an existential problem. The victorious allied forces had put a ban on Italy to build airplanes and helicopters, which had been Piaggio‘s core business. A new business model was desperately needed and Piaggio realized that what Italy needed was some means of transportation affordable for everyone.

He asked his former helicopter engineer Corradino D‘Ascanio to develop a solution to the problem. D‘Ascanio didn‘t want to build just another motorcycle. The sum of all requirements led to what would become the motorscooter. A small, lightweight, technically simple and easy to handle vehicle, that men and women could equally use and that even granted some kind of protection from the dirt on the streets.

Still in 1945 a first prototype was finished, called Paperino, which was put together from left over airplane parts, wheel borrow wheels and some metal remains. In April 1946 the patent was filed for and in the same year production started. Its narrow waist and voluptuous rear with the side panels, that somewhat reminded of the shape of a wasp, give the scooter its final name: Vespa.

In the first two years, 1946 and 1947, a total number of 17,049 Vespa 98 were built. Its 98 cc engine was 3 HP strong and good for a top speed of 60 km/h. For 100 kilometers the Vespa consumed only two litres of gas. The first Vespa model did not have a center stand, which is why they could not be parked as one would guess. Instead they were simply leaned to the side. The Vespa 98 was continuously improved and today four series are distinguished. In 1947 the leg shield received its characteristic kink, before it had simply been curved. Furthermore a speedometer became available. The front fender was more narrow and a safety loop should prevent the passengers from getting their feet into the gear shift linkage. Apart from these there was a number of further smaller modifications.

Today the Vespa 98 is the holy grail among collectors. It is not just the blueprint of all Vespas, but of all scooters. Its reduced, simple design counts as an artwork today, while the basic idea itself is part of motor history. Despite the quite considerable amount built in those early days not many Vespa 98 have survived. That is why they are much sough-after today among aficionados and accordingly high are its prices, that are commanded. After all only one is the very first!

This Vespa 98 came all the way from Canada to Vienna. It had migrated across the pond with its previous Italian owner, who had treated it a careful restoration many years ago. Today it proudly displays the most charming patina, but mostly the Vespa simply fascinates with being, what it is.

Chassis: 10493, Motor: 9507, ohne Papiere (without papers)