Post Sale Update: This Ape sold for $5,000 after 34 bids.
The Piaggio Ape dates back to the late 40s, when the inventor of the Vespa recognized that Italian businesses were tight on money after the war but they still needed small commercial vehicles. If I’m allowed to oversimplify, Piaggio simply added two wheels and a flatbed to the back of a Vespa and created the Ape, which has been in continuous production since. This example spent the first 30 years of its life working the streets of Italy, and it’s now made it’s way to the US for you to enjoy.
Obviously, this scoot isn’t suitable for highway runs. It was designed to navigate the tight streets of Italian towns that are hundreds of years old. It’s driven by the rear wheels, and the “50” motor is small enough that some countries consider it a moped, meaning that even 14 year-olds can get into the delivery game.
This example was imported from Italy by the seller and it’s currently plated in Florida. It shows original paint with “patina from 3 decades of riding around tiny Italian roads.” I’d keep the paint as is, personally. The motor is not original, as the displacement has been bumped up with a Polini 102cc cylinder kit. Everything is said to work and it’s got the spare tire and original jack stand. As the “elestart” decal on the back suggests, this Ape is equipped with an electric starter.
Find this Ape for sale in Miami, Florida with bidding up to $1,425