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.
Fours years on and our Calessino No. 214 gets her first ITV (MOT) plus the relentless search for the other limited edition Calessinos continues ...
Just a few snaps to keep this blog going ...
More info on our Calessino Parade ScoopIt pages (topical items such as Calessino tour operators, photos of recently spotted Calessinos and other related news) or our more comprehensive Calessino Parade Spotters Register (the relentless quest to locate all 1,699 limited edition Piaggio Ape Calessinos).
If you have any photos or information about a Calessino - please do let us know via our TarifaStudios Facebook page.
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