Two Italian icons meet in New York as Vespa unveils Amerigo Vespucci special
A unique Vespa inspired by the Italian Navy's legendary training ship has been unveiled alongside the vessel itself in New York Harbour.
There are few machines more instantly recognisable as symbols of Italy than a Vespa scooter. Unless, of course, you're talking about the Italian Navy's famous training ship, the Amerigo Vespucci.
The two icons have now met for the first time in New York Harbour, where Vespa unveiled a unique one-off scooter inspired by the 95-year-old sailing ship as it prepares to take part in the Sail4th250 celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The custom machine will remain on display alongside the vessel during the ship's stay in New York, bringing together two very different machines that have both become unlikely ambassadors for Italian engineering and design.
Launched in 1931, the Amerigo Vespucci serves as the Italian Navy's training ship, helping prepare officer cadets from the Naval Academy in Livorno for life at sea. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful ships ever built, it is also the oldest active vessel in the Italian Navy and regularly tours the world representing Italy abroad.
Vespa, meanwhile, arrived 15 years later than the ship, in 1946, and has spent the intervening eight decades becoming one of Italy's most successful exports. What started life as affordable post-war transport evolved into a global cultural icon recognised far beyond the world of two wheels.
The New York show bike takes clear inspiration from the Vespucci's distinctive appearance. Finished in gloss black with twin white stripes running along its steel bodywork, the scooter mirrors the ship's famous hull livery, while graphics inspired by the vessel's portholes appear along the flanks.
Ochre detailing beneath the seat and across the front mudguard references the colour of the ship's wooden bulwarks, while the front tie-piece adopts the same tones as the sailing ship's bowsprit.
The left side of the front shield carries official Amerigo Vespucci graphics showing the tall ship under full sail complete with Italian tricolore, but arguably the most interesting touch is the seat itself.
Rather than traditional upholstery, Vespa has covered the saddle in genuine Olona canvas, the same material used to produce the ship's sails. It's an unusual detail, but one that neatly links two Italian machines built nearly 100 years apart.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
