Details
1958 A.C.M.A. VESPA
Chassis No. 2407
Grey with green tartan seats. For restoration.
Engine: twin cylinder Vespa, 2-stroke, 393cc; Gearbox: four speed manual and reverse; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic; Suspension: all round coil spring. Left hand drive.
Vespa, the legendary Italian scooter manufacturer, and very much part of fifties culture, have been prolific motorcycles makers ever since. However, the Piaggio manufacturers did make a break into the car market in 1957 although the cars were not built in Italy but in Nievre, France. The reason for this was due to an agreement between Vespa and Fiat not to challenge Fiat's dominance of the Italian car market.
Although the unveiling of the Vespa 400 at the Paris Salon in 1957 was not a 'sensation' it certainly was successful in terms of sales, with 12,000 built in the first year of production. Unfortunately, though, it was built at a time when the Mini, 2CV and Fiat 500 were already established motor cars and thus the Vespa car simply could not compete with these 'Micro Giants'. Production ceased in 1961.
The engineering and design of the Vespa car is particularly strong and the bodywork quite appealing, with a roll-back roof that compensates for the fixed side windows.
This particular car was acquired from the Bad Iburg Microcar Museum in Germany and is in need of complete restoration. Finished in pale grey, the bodywork is in generally fair order with some deterioration due to corrosion. It is not known how many of these cars still exist but they were successful in their day and this one should make a rewarding project. It carries an old style German registration document,
Chassis No. 2407
Grey with green tartan seats. For restoration.
Engine: twin cylinder Vespa, 2-stroke, 393cc; Gearbox: four speed manual and reverse; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic; Suspension: all round coil spring. Left hand drive.
Vespa, the legendary Italian scooter manufacturer, and very much part of fifties culture, have been prolific motorcycles makers ever since. However, the Piaggio manufacturers did make a break into the car market in 1957 although the cars were not built in Italy but in Nievre, France. The reason for this was due to an agreement between Vespa and Fiat not to challenge Fiat's dominance of the Italian car market.
Although the unveiling of the Vespa 400 at the Paris Salon in 1957 was not a 'sensation' it certainly was successful in terms of sales, with 12,000 built in the first year of production. Unfortunately, though, it was built at a time when the Mini, 2CV and Fiat 500 were already established motor cars and thus the Vespa car simply could not compete with these 'Micro Giants'. Production ceased in 1961.
The engineering and design of the Vespa car is particularly strong and the bodywork quite appealing, with a roll-back roof that compensates for the fixed side windows.
This particular car was acquired from the Bad Iburg Microcar Museum in Germany and is in need of complete restoration. Finished in pale grey, the bodywork is in generally fair order with some deterioration due to corrosion. It is not known how many of these cars still exist but they were successful in their day and this one should make a rewarding project. It carries an old style German registration document,