Monday 22 August 2011

An Ape would suit me nice!

Such a beauty! A working Vespa in the form of an Ape from Piaggio.

I think this is a Ape Motocarro 500. They were built in Pontedera at Piaggio factory from 1964 to 1968, the internal name being "AD1T". The version allowed to carry 450 kg's were in production 1964-1966. The 500 kg-version between 1966 and 1968.
The engine was 175 cc, 8,25 hp at 4 750 RPM, hurling it up to 50-60 km/h.
So, this one in the pictures has been unused for some time. The guys showing it to me do remember some hilarious escapedes in the 70's...
Well, I wonder if the engine is seized? And is the there a lot of rot?

What's wrong with you when you want things that look like this?

The old style with four bolts remained longer on the Ape's.
Cosy cabin, petrol tank to the right. Handy in a crash...
That silly grin tells it all, doesn't it?
The speedo goes to 90 km per hour. What an experience!
It should look like this! Picture from MondoApe.com

3 comments:

  1. Thomas it's pretty funky, are you buying this or do you own it? It definitely looks like it needs some work.

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  2. No, it's not mine. But I would like to buy it, if it's not too expensive. As u say, it needs lot's of work.

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  3. That's one ape in desperate need of a monkey wrench, Thomas! Hope you get to buy it.

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