The Vespa is an Italian icon - and here is the official story of the brand since its legendary creation, more than 70 years ago. The Vespa is not just any scooter, it is THE scooter, known and loved all over the world. Follow its more-than-70-year history, from its debut in 1946 to signature, custom-made artistic vehicles. This lavishly illustrated volume retraces the Vespa's origins, exploring its most important and influential models (including the 125 Elastico, which met clients' demands for higher performance, and the Elettrica and Elettrica X, both with hybrid motors); the brand's advertising and communications, complete with vintage calendars; and its place in sports, films like Roman Holiday, fashion, and beyond. Engaging anecdotes and images - some never-before published - illustrate the never-ending evolution of a piece of Italy that has conquered all five continents and sold over 18 million vehicles. AUTHORS: Stefano Cordara has competed in international motorcycle races including the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours. He is the managing editor of RED-live and writes for Gazzetta dello Sport, for which he collaborated on a series of books dedicated to the Ducati motorcycle. He lives in Pavia, Italy. Valerio Boni was a sports reporter for off-road racing and an editor of specialized magazines who reported on product launches. He was a senior editor for Mondadori magazines and is the author of a series of annual publications about international motorcycle racing. He has written books about the history of BMW, Ducati, Gilera, Porsche, and Vespa. Valerio lives in Bergamo, Italy.. SELLING POINTS: An official book Complete information on all records, races, and pilots The must-have collection of all models, prototypes, and customised models The 70-year-long story of Vespa and its contribution to cultural change through newspapers and magazines 100 colour and b/w photographs