On April 23, 1946, a two-wheeler rolled out of a factory in Pontedera and changed the way the world thought about getting from one place to another. Eighty years later, Vespa marked that exact date at Vespa The Empty Space, its Milan store on Via Broletto 13, with the launch of two anniversary models and a capsule collection that brings the brand's founding spirit squarely into 2026.
The new Vespa 80th lands in two versions, the Primavera and the GTS, both dressed in a pastel green drawn directly from the historic Piaggio archives, the same shade that colored the very first Vespas off the line in 1946. It is the opening act of a year-long celebration that will carry on through Rome in late June, but Milan got there first.
Eight Decades on Two Wheels
The pastel green detail earns its place here. Retrieved from the Piaggio archives and applied across both the Primavera 80th and GTS 80th, it appears on the bodywork, in the shield profiles, the passenger grab handle, the rearview mirrors, and the control blocks. The wheel rims echo the closed geometries of historic models, drawing directly from the original Vespa 98 of 1946, and carry the Est. 1946 lettering with a diamond-cut finish. The Primavera 80th adds a side grille that recalls the technical solutions of the first generation. The shield carries a commemorative 80th plate and an 80 Years of Vespa Est. 1946 badge. Every detail is a reference. Nothing is decorative for its own sake.
A Wardrobe for the Road
Alongside the two new models, Vespa launches what it calls a contemporary wardrobe for enthusiasts. The 80th Anniversary capsule collection opens with a varsity jacket carrying celebratory graphics and references to the brand's history. A field jacket and utility vest in cotton gabardine follow, personalized with a commemorative anniversary print. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, and functional polo shirts round out the apparel. All carrying the 80 Years of Vespa Est. 1946 print. While the full accessories collection to completes the picture: tote bag, drawstring bag, bandanas, keychains, magnets, fans, patches, pins, and a matching ABS jet helmet.
