What's a Calessino ???

Piaggio Ape (pronounced 'ah-peh' - Italian for bee ) - a three-wheeler produced in 1948 by Vespa designer Corradino D'Ascanio. It was a light commercial vehicle intended to power Italy's economic reconstruction and has been in continuous production since in Italy and India. With scooter style handlebars and a door on each side - it was suited to light deliveries, with good torque for hills but a low top speed. Outside of town, Apes are customarily driven close to the curb to allow traffic and joggers to pass! Piaggio produced the Ape Calessino ('little cart') 422cc Diesel (at around € 10,000 retail) and then the Electric Lithium (€ 23,000 - batteries included) as limited edition modern versions of the model popular in the 50s and 60s with Italian stars and lovers of the 'Dolce Vita'. It always stands out from the crowd - as you can see below - or via our Calessino Spotters Register.


Sunday 17 March 2013

Habemus Papam - but where are those Calessinos?

Pope Francis was elected on 13th March 2013 but will he use the two custom finished white Ape Calessinos that Piaggio donated to Pope Benedict back in 2008...

 

Requests to the Vatican have so far fallen on deaf ears and even the odd prayer for divine inspiration has so far failed to provide their Edicione Limitata details.

Perhaps this new 'man of the people' might be spotted driving round Rome in one of the Calessinos, giving a lift to some of the faithful on their way to church!

We wish Pope Francis well and hope one day we might be able to add the papal Calessino info to our: Calessino - Spotters Register

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