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Vespas to purr at Goodwood 2026
Each day of the Goodwood Revival traditionally begins with the charismatic Track Opening Parade that will be led in 2026 by hundreds of classic Vespas.
The Goodwood theme in 2026 is ‘La Dolce Vita’ (the sweet life) and while Vespas will make up the majority of scooters they’ll be joined by Lambrettas, Italjets and Isos.
In the aftermath of World War II, Italy’s economy was in tatters and people needed affordable transport.
Fortunately, two Piaggio engineers had already started work on a new motorcycle design back in 1944, with bodywork that enclosed the drivetrain and swept up at the front to form a splash guard, but that initial design was rejected by the company.
Enrico Piaggio asked aeronautical engineer, Corradino D’Ascanio, to create a new design. He retained the splash guard, but positioned the engine alongside the rear wheel, doing away with a traditional chain drive.
His prototype was designated ‘MP6’, but when shown the new design for the first time, Piaggio remarked on its resemblance to a wasp: “Sembra una vespa!” he declared.
The Vespa design was patented on 23rd April 1946 and the scooter went into production almost immediately. In 1947, 2500 of them were sold; 10,000 the following year and more than 60,000 in 1950.
The Vespa was a symbol of freedom for a nation that had suffered so much in the years before. It personified the Italian style, reviving a culture of romance and adventure, and soon became a movie star.
This global phenomenon acquired rear suspension in 1948 and was soon available with eight different engine options from 50cc to 200cc. There were Sport versions, a hugely popular 150 GS with a double saddle and, by 1966, the Vespa range had grown to feature more than 30 variants.
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