Vespa 50th Anniversary

1996 was the 50th anniversary of the production of the Vespa motorscooter. In the U.S.A. this event was recognized in print by Associated Press writer Brian Murphy, this account appeared in numerous newspapers including our local San Francisco Chronicle. The complete text of this article is available.

The anniversary was marked by a number of events. A major one was EuroVespa '96, sponsored by the FIV and Piaggio, June 22 & 23, in San Remo, Italy. September 19 & 20 was "Vespa Day" in Rome, and on September 21 & 22, a celebration took place in Pontedera, Italy (the site of the Piaggio factory.)

To participate in the events in Rome and Pontedera I started planning "The Ride of a Lifetime" in 1994. Rolf Soltau, Tim Slagle, Ted Langlais, David Dubiner, Tom Cullen and I (six of us!) rode from San Francisco to New York, flew with our bikes to London, and rode to Rome and Pontedera in time for the celebrations. A total of 5,325 miles per rider. The ride was inspired by our friend Giorgio Bettinelli of Rome. We met Giorgio in 1994 as he was making his way from Anchorage, Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego on a Vespa 150. Recently he finished a trip from Sydney, Australia, to South Africa. In three years he has traveled 112,000 kilometers, spread among three trips. In January 1997 he begins an around-the-world odyssey which will last three more years.

Our complete itinerary and and daily trip reports are available.