An Italian legend turns 60 this year – and we’re talking about the three wheeled Italian truck called the Ape.
It was developed by Piaggio in 1948 in post-war times of invention and genius.
It was modelled on the idea of the Vespa and the world has since seen more than two million examples of this vehicle.
The Ape (in English, ‘bee’) is a true companion for many Italians, particularly for work, though it is also a symbol of small town life.
The Ape is incredible in its modest but durable nature – if you even get stuck behind one on an Italian country road, while the experience will be frustrating, you can’t help but admire the Ape’s dogged stubborness.
The first Ape had many of Vespa’s characteristics, including handle bars and a 125cc engine.
Only that behind there were two wheels and a small platform that could carry 200kg.
It was an expensive purchase for a family in those days, but in another innovation from Piaggio, it adopted the American rates system of payment.
Other developments over the years included the steering wheel from 1968 and in 1982 an automobile-style cabin designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.
I have some fond memories myself of various Ape I’ve seen around, especially in Italy’s mountains.
One little ape one day surprised the life out of me when it turned on the radio – a disco on three wheels, I swear.
On Italy’s world cup win in 2006 I saw an ape with about 10 people sitting in and hanging off it which given its size is an impressive feat.
And a colleague of mine even hired one as her wedding car – she was Irish and it was green.
With its charm and quirky nature, not to mention its versatility, we wish the ape a Happy Birthday!