Piaggio van books - history and models

Ape Piaggio

In the years immediately after the Second World War Italy was in desperate need of reconstruction, economic resources were scarce and there was above all a lack of a vehicle capable of satisfying the new commercial reality.
On the one hand the market was offering large and expensive lorries, on the other cheap, small motorcycles but neither was suitable for small businesses.

This changed in 1947 (just a year after the launch of the Vespa) with the presentation of the Ape that from the outset enjoyed enormous success and was offered in an infinite series of variants: flat beds, panel vans, tipper trucks, trailers, autorickshaws and fire trucks.
A success story that has continued through to the present day with special versions built for the Pope and the President of the Italian Republic.

This book presents the history and the engineering of a remarkable vehicle, taking in such aspects and styling and publicity, not to mention the great intercontinental journeys undertaken with this legendary three-wheeler.
Lastly, along with the production figures, for the first time we are publishing a complete illustrated catalogue of every model produced to date, each accompanied by a detailed technical file.

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Piaggio Ape - Die fleissige Schwester der Vespa

As a sister of the Vespa, the Italian manufacturer Piaggio introduced the three-wheeled transporter "Biene" (Ape) in 1947. Created in the austere post-war period, the Ape is the last survivor of a now extinct type of vehicle. And not without reason: no other three-wheeler has been built more frequently worldwide.

In this updated and expanded volume, Günther Uhlig tells the success story of the Ape from its beginnings to the present day and guides you through the entire model history, everyday life and the scene with wonderful pictures and a lot of background knowledge - a reading pleasure of a special kind.

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