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Sunday, October 30, 2022

Getting to know a Piaggio's classic microcar

Rare ONES Perhaps not everyone knows that Piaggio today famous with two-wheeled vehicles, especially scooters also have produced such a unique microcar in the past. Well, Piaggio officially introduced its first microcar named the 'Vespa 400' in Monaco back in the 1957, and marketed in 1959. There are approximately 20 thousand cars have been produced in the first two years, and the Vespa 400 production officially discontinued in 1961.😢
The Vespa 400 is a unique microcar that is quite pleasing in design featured with two suicide-styled doors, capable accomodated two passengers inside its cabin, and a cabriolet model roof which means the canvas roof can be opened. (Picture from: MobiMoto)
The Vespa 400 is a cutie rear-engined microcar designed by the engineers of the Italian company Piaggio and manufactured by Ateliers de construction de motocycles et d'automobiles (ACMA) in Fourchambault, France ranging from 1957 to 1961. At the time, the Vespa 400 is marketed in three variants, namely Luxe, Tourisme and GT.
The Vespa 400 microcar designed by the engineers of the Italian company Piaggio and manufactured by Ateliers de construction de motocycles et d'automobiles (ACMA) in Fourchambault, France ranging from 1957 to 1961. (Picture from: Motor1)
If you look at the Vespa 400 appearence, it's a unique microcar that is quite pleasing in design featured with two suicide-styled doors, capable accomodated two passengers inside its cabin, and a cabriolet model roof which means the canvas roof can be opened.
Interior view of 1959 Vespa 400 microcar. (Picture from: Motor1)
The fabric roof of the cabriolet can be rolled back into the top of the rear engine cover and the 12-volt battery is located at the front of the car, behind the grille. It also has a spare tire is stored under the passenger seat. While the instrumentation has a very simple design, only the speedometer and warning lights for fuel, engine charging dynamo, and indicators.
Rear side view of 1959 Vespa 400 microcar. (Picture from: Motor1)
For the engine, this Piaggio-made classic microcar is equipped with a 393 cc, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke engine, capable of spitting out about 14 horsepower. The engine is combined with a 3 speed manual transmission for the European market, while for the American market, the Vespa 400 uses a 4 speed transmission.
While to support the legs, the Vespa 400 uses independent suspension system with double acting hydraulic coil springs. Discussing performance, this unique minicar has a maximum speed of about 80-90 kilometers per hour. While the fuel consumption reaches 5 liters for 100 kilometers. 

Perhaps not many people own these cutie Vespa 400 microcars todays, with its increasingly rare existence, thus making it a to be one of classic cars that has an exorbitant price and is sought after by collectors. *** [EKA [25102016] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | EBAY | MOTOR1]
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