Lovely report in from SIP Scootershop:
There are moments when you just have to stop for a moment, take off your helmet and simply grin. That Saturday in Rome was one such moment. Anyone who was there didn’t just watch a parade – they were part of a rolling piece of cultural history. Around 25,000 Vespas rode through the Eternal City. According to Piaggio, it was the biggest Vespa rally ever organised. And quite honestly: you could hardly have chosen a more fitting location than Rome for the 80th birthday of this icon.
Born in 1946, loved all over the world: the Vespa has long been more than just a scooter. It embodies design, a way of life, technology, freedom – and sometimes the perfect excuse to simply set off. It was precisely this feeling that hung over the city on Saturday.
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From the Baths of Caracalla to the Colosseum
The starting signal was given at the Baths of Caracalla. Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, gave the signal, and the procession was led by the presidents of Vespa clubs from 67 countries. That alone actually says it all: Vespa is no longer a national story, but a global family on small wheels. From there, the gigantic convoy rolled on towards the Colosseum, heading for Piazza Venezia, past the Altare della Patria and across the Fori Imperiali. Anyone familiar with Rome knows that this backdrop is hard to beat anyway. But when Vespas spanning eight decades wind their way through the streets, rattling, humming and gleaming, history suddenly becomes the present.
Thousands of people lined the route, filming, waving and applauding. For us as the SIP team, it was one of those moments when you realise once again why this brand continues to fascinate to this day. Whether perfectly restored classics, well-travelled everyday scooters or modern GTS models – every Vespa told its own story. A team from ARD had been accompanying us for a few days already, filming for german television ARD *Tagesschau*, *Brisant* and *Europamagazin*. They were pretty blown away too.
Eight decades on two wheels
The variety was particularly impressive. More than 160 Vespa models have been built over the past 80 years – and practically every era was represented. On display were extremely rare examples of the Vespa 98, the very first series from 1946, along with the ‘Low-Light’ models from the 1950s, classic VBBs from the 1960s and, of course, plenty of ET3s, GTRs, Rally and PX models. It was the classic models in particular that repeatedly drew loud cheers from the crowds lining the route. A well-preserved Rally, a beautiful ET3 or a PX with patina – these are the things that instantly set a Vespa enthusiast’s heart racing. But the modern Vespa Primavera and GTS were also well represented, often with riders who had travelled thousands of kilometres under their own steam to Rome. You couldn’t ask for more passion.
80 years of Vespa – and not a bit quiet
The parade in Rome was more than just an event to mark the anniversary. It was a statement. 80 years after the first model, the Vespa is more alive than ever. It connects generations, countries and lifestyles – from the collector with a rare Vespa 98 to the GTS rider who simply enjoys being on the road.
For SIP, Rome 2026 was a celebration that will stay with us for a long time: 25,000 scooters, 67 nations, a city steeped in history and a shared sound that you won’t forget in a hurry.
Buon compleanno, Vespa. Here’s to the next 80 years.
Photos: SIP Scootershop
READ MORE: https://sip.shop/rom80
