Vespa 80th anniversary celebrations take place in Rome

Is there anything more quintessentially Italian than a Vespa?

Thousands of Vespa owners clearly think so as they gathered to embrace the dolce vita of Rome and its stunning sights as part of the company’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

There were different Vespa models from throughout the company’s long history, ridden by owners from all over the globe, as the Italian capital was treated to the world’s most stylish parade on a scorching summer’s day.

As well as the parade, the festival-like celebratory event saw music, exhibitions and the chance for fellow Vespa owners to meet one another in the Foro Italico, the location of the Vespa Village.

Fans of Vespa were also treated to the opening of the photo exhibition “80 Years of an Icon - The Exhibition”, curated by Giacomo Bretzel, which documents the Vespa journey over the last eight decades as a mode of transport and style icon.

Vespa Edizione Ottantesimo unveiled

The 80th anniversary celebrations in Rome also saw the unveiling of a new Vespa model — the Edizione Ottantesimo.

Limited to just 1,946 units in honour of Vespa’s year of formation, Vespa says the celebratory model has been created to ‘pay tribute to eight years of freedom, style and passion’.

The steel monocoque-bodied Ottantesimo harks back to Vespas of old, with a matt metallic grey livery mimicking raw steel, paired with green on the seats and wheels. Each of the 1,946 is made unique with a numbered badge positioned in the compartment under the seat.

On the dash, a 5-inch colour TFT display comes with the Vespa MIA system with integrated sat nav, while a keyless system eliminates the need for a traditional key. Powering the limited edition model is a modern 310 hpe engine, which delivers 25 hp.

Set to be released in 2027, the new Edizione Ottantesimo will cost customers in the UK £12,115 and comes with a matching helmet.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Vespa