Vespa 50 Special, how was it born? History

The history of the Vespa 50 Special

The Vespa 50 Special was produced for the first time back in 1969. Piaggio continued to create new models until 1983. In this long period of time we can divide the history of the Vespa 50 Special into three distinct eras characterized by important differences among the various models, but above all by great successes.

The first period kicks off in 1969 and ends in 1972. These years are distinguished by the identifying writings positioned in front and behind, or even above the headlight. Vespa 50 was written on the front. Special instead, on the back, above the headlight.
In the nose pad it was on the front and the stop cover in black plastic. In addition to these there is a 16 mm long tripod. Another important detail of the Vespa 50 Specials of this specific period? The 9-inch wheels with four fixing nuts in addition to the three-speed gearbox.

Second period: from 1972 to 1975. The wheels change from 9 to 10 inches with five fixing nuts instead of four. Changes are also made to the stand, which lengthens by four millimeters, to the nose pad and to the stop cover which become light gray. The writings, on the other hand, acquire a different layout. Which? The writings become horizontal but above all in lowercase block letters. Vespa is positioned on the front while the 50 Special is positioned on the back. An important clarification needs to be made here. The first models, in fact, still have the writing of the old type, that is, ready to follow the layout and positioning rules of the previous era.

The third period goes from 1975 to 1983. This is the last production period of the Vespa 50 Special characterized by the four-speed gearbox and above all by a reinforced frame. Changes to the gearbox were made to make it uniform with that of the Vespa 125 Primavera and to allow it to meet the wishes of many Vespa enthusiasts who cheered it loudly.

Vespa S heir to the Vespa 50 Special

What happened after Piaggio declared the Vespa 50 Special out of production? From 1983 onwards, Vespa enthusiasts have continued to jealously guard their models. Year after year, more and more people have therefore begun to try to develop the legendary two-wheeler or simply restore it after years and years spent in cellars and garages in order to resume taking a few strolls in the city or in the countryside and feel the thrill again. of the wind on the face.
The Vespa 50 Special in the seventies had a great sales success. The latest series, in particular, have become the favorites for mechanical processing, so much so that collectors and enthusiasts still exchange ideas and advice on how to fix the Vespa 50 Special models in their possession or compete to buy one.
In 2007 the Vespa S finally came to light, which was defined as the true heir to the Vespa 50 Special.

What is the success of the Vespa 50 Special due to?

The success of the 50 Special is not only to be attributed to the legendary 70s. What made the 50 Special a real institution was actually the possibility for young people to recognize themselves in a means of transport that finally communicated with them and it allowed him to feel stronger and more independent. A means of transport that in addition to being within everyone's reach - or almost - was certainly, either because of its design, or because of the colors, capable of fascinating both boys and girls.
The Vespa 50 Special allowed all young people to feel part of a group - that of the owners of a specimen - but also to feel, at the same time, capable of expressing their identity according to the Vespa purchased or the elaborations made.
In this way, being able to enter the hearts of those who actually needed it to travel every day, the 50 Special soon became a real status symbol in those years and for several generations.
For the record, retracing the history of the Vespa 50 Special, it should be emphasized that it was not only the creativity and technical skills of the Pontedera workers that contributed to the success. Credit must also be attributed to those who presented this product to the masses and to those who built the advertising campaign. Making the Vespa 50 Special a real object of desire, making everyone imagine the possibility of feeling truly free by driving one, has reached the hearts of the people who have skyrocketed sales and sanctioned its enormous success. .