An estimated 30,000-plus Vespa lovers and around 20,000 Vespas flocked from far and near. Attendees from all over Europe came, with the traditional lively presence of visitors from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Austria and Switzerland turning out in particularly large numbers. Other continents were also well represented with Vespa fans coming from further afield, such as Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Argentina, the Philippines, the USA, Canada and Colombia. In total, Vespa Clubs from 55 nations were officially represented.
The Vespa Parade: A spectacle never before seen in 70 years of rallies
Saturday’s grand Vespa Parade broke all records with more than 15,000 Vespas starting off from Pontedera then snaking their way around the Valdera Hills. This extraordinary 16-km colourful serpentine also represented Vespa’s rich history. Leading the parade was a special Vespa GTS 300 in the colours and emblems of the Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police), donated by Piaggio at the opening of the Vespa World Days event. Also among the front pack was television personality, record producer and ardent Vespa fan Rudy Zerbi, astride a brilliant Vespa Gtv 300.
All the models manufactured in seventy-eight years of Vespa history paraded through the streets of the Pisa province, from the first and extremely rare 98cc made in 1946 all the way to the latest versions of Vespa Primavera, Sprint and GTS, with legendary models in between such as the early ’50s era 125 “faro basso”, the widespread VBB ranges, the 1964 50cc units, the ET3 125 units, the ’70s era Rally machines, and a steadily growing number of Vespa PX units.
The Vespa World Club and National Vespa Clubs
The Vespa legend was created at the same time as the scooter burst onto the scene and even as far back as 1946, many were keen to be associated with the Vespa name. And so, the first Vespa Clubs were founded, originally in Italy then spreading abroad, sparking an enduring passion that led to the creation, in 2006, of the Vespa World Club, marking the 60th anniversary of Vespa.
