1956 Piaggio Ape 'AC1' 150cc 3-Wheeler

Description

Piaggio’s Ape is a three-wheeled light commercial vehicle, manufactured in Italy as an adaption of the company's legendary Vespa scooter. The Ape has been in continuous production since its introduction in 1948 and along the way offered in numerous utilitarian body configurations. Originally called the VespaCar or TriVespa, Piaggio subsequently adopted the name “Ape” which is derived from the Italian for Bee, while “Vespa” means wasp. 1948’s first Ape was powered by a 125cc single-cylinder engine with the front fork mounted to the left of the wheel hub, a column-mounted gear lever and a wooden cargo bed supported by two wheels underneath. It was very much a Vespa scooter with a pickup bed. This Ape ‘A’ was superseded in 1952 by the ‘B’ which was much the same but had a larger 150cc engine, the front fork mounted to the right of the wheel hub and a pressed steel cargo bed. It also had a cable operated gear change. The Ape ‘C’ came along in 1956 and was a significant step forward, introducing an enclosed cabin for the first time and set the tone for what the Ape continues to be today. Electric start also became an option with the ‘C’.