CarBrandLogos archive · Vespa · 1977

VespaPX

Four gears, a steel body and a kickstart — the last of the old Vespas.

Photo: Dengele · CC BY-SA 4.0

The story

A defining chapter in Vespa history.

Explore the ideas, engineering and context that shaped the Vespa PX, then continue into its specifications and place in the marque's lineage.

Origins

Launched in 1977 as the P125X and P200E, the PX was Piaggio's modernisation of the large-frame Vespa, and it turned out to be the final version of the original concept. It kept everything that defined the type — a pressed-steel monocoque body with no separate chassis, a two-stroke single mounted beside the rear wheel, four gears selected by twisting the left handlebar grip, and a spare wheel under the legshield — while adding indicators, improved suspension and a more usable riding position.

Vespa PX 200 Millennium 2003 · Khaosaming · CC BY-SA 3.0

Design and engineering

It was intended to have a normal model life and instead became permanent. Piaggio launched several scooters meant to replace it, and buyers kept asking for the PX; it was withdrawn and reintroduced more than once as emissions regulations tightened and were then accommodated, finally leaving production in the 2010s after more than three decades.

Vespa PX150 · Samihasib · CC BY-SA 4.0

In production

For riders who care about such things, it is the last Vespa that has to be ridden rather than merely operated — a manual gearbox, a kickstart, and a chassis with the engine hung out on one side.

@hawari 64 - R⤓Download · Zooarman · CC0

Technical specification