Registration No: 290 XVP
Frame No: 015969
MOT: Exempt

• Vespas 1950s entry into the car market
• Powered by a 400cc two-stroke engine
• Recent full respray, supplied with a V5C

More famed for its Vespa scooters, what is not so well known is that Piaggio also made a car between 1957 and 1961. In the 1950s there was a boom in Microcars with many scooter riders wanting to move on to 4 wheels. It was launched in 1957 at a lavish event in Monaco with Formula 1 drivers Fangio and Behra displaying its merits. Powered by a 400cc rear-mounted two-stroke fan-cooled engine, it was only 9' 11" long, 5' shorter than the Fiat 500 launched around the same time. The car proved to be immediately popular, especially in France, where it was actually built in Piaggios ACMA factory. The Piaggio family and the Agnelli family were linked by marriage and the legend is that Piaggio was advised to stick to scooters and let Fiat look after cars, so the Microcar was discontinued in 1961.

Imported into the UK in 1984, this example has been part of a small private collection that the vendor is now downsizing. Taken to a few local shows in his time of ownership, he has recently treated it to a full respray in Ferrari Red. Supplied with a V5C, this rare part of Piaggios history will make a fascinating addition to any scooter collection and a talking point at rallies and shows.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415871189