Vespa: An Illustrated Story

By Eric Brockway

Book Overview

When it was first introduced in 1949, the Vespa scooter was an entirely new type of vehicle, the result of a flash of inspiration followed by innovative engineering and astute marketing. It captured... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1859604439
• ISBN13: 9781859604434
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Haynes Publishing
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.4" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

great book, get others for your library though.

This really is a great book with wonderful pictures. The title is very misleading in terms that it is in no way a definitive history of Vespa. It is however a very valuable resource on the Vespa in the UK and Douglas motorcycles. If you already have an interest and other resources on the Vespa history at large, and a passing interest in the socio-economic conditions in the UK in relation to the rise and fall of British motorcycle companies (a stretch, but I certainly do), the book is a must have.Some time is spent on the earlier Vespa clubs in the late 40s and early 50s, as well as detailed information on UK-only modifications and offerings well into the 1960s. Several pictures offer insight into Vespa production facilities and methods.

the quintessential vespa (douglas) history book

For those who don't know of Eric Brockway- this man was not only the honorary vespa club of Britain president for many years (sadly passed away but not forgotten!) he was also managing director of Douglas motorcycles during the years they imported and built Vespas in Bristol. Eric knew more about vespa (pre p-range and after) than anyone I've ever met or heard of- a lovely man with a wealth of hands-on experience. The book is well worth the price and no Vespa (or motorcycle/motor-scooter) book collection would be complete without it.

Great book, but beware: only covers Douglas Vespas (UK)

That's a great looking book with very interesting B & W pictures. Not much text but the essential nonetheless and every picture has a detailed informative legend (96 pages). But important: THIS BOOK COVERS "DOUGLAS" (MADE IN THE UK) VESPA HISTORY ONLY. A "must have", I think.