5 comments about Vespa.

1. I rarely give 5 stars to a product, but this one is flawless. I bought this book to learn about the various vintages of Vespa so I could make an informed choice when buying one. Given the beauty of this scooter, I wanted a book of similar quality, and I was not disappointed.
   
   This book has explained everything about the company and its products together with their long history of excellence in an easy to read, beautifully laid out volume. I now know which Vespa I want: ALL OF THEM!



2. The copy I received in late January '06 seems to be an update on the original Chronicle Books edition of 2004. The newer edition has last chapters that refer to the 250 GTS model. There are a few typo's and printing errors that I did not notice in the earlier book.
   
   Overall - this is one of the very few scooter books I have actually paid money to own. [I have interlibrary borrowed many others.] The Italian-to-English translation is puzzling here and there, but the spirit of the work gave me a deeper understanding of the sociological impact of the machine on culture and Piaggio on Italy.



3. Nice book, excelent pictures and lots of info related to the history of the scooter, including all sorts of stories about the role of the scooter in its day, but... The book chooses a few models to portrait in detail and leaves out a couple of important ones, including the rally models and the fact that its an "official biography" tends to make it lack objectivity very often.
   
   All in all it's like a big, beautiful ad for the Vespa and should be bought with that in mind!



4. This book is unbelievably well-written compared to the vast majority of "motor books" [whether automotive or motorcycle-specific.] While it does have some minor technical flaws - primarily, the association of captions with the picture they refer to - the quality of the illustration is absolutely top-notch, and the translation is generally excellent, altho' there are enough oddities to remind you that many sections of the book were clearly originally offered in another language [transcripts of radio shows & foreign-language ads being prime examples.]
   
   The bottom line is that even if you never particularly cared for Vespas over any other brand of scooter, once you've read this book, you'll have a much greater appreciation for the marque and scooters in general. To put it another way: I borrowed this book from the library rather than buying it, but having read it & enjoyed it so thoroughly, I intend to add it to my personal library as soon as funds permit! Two thumbs up!



5. I was interested in purchasing a vintage Vespa scooter, and this book is helpful in knowing the history of the company, its representative Vespa models from 1940's to recent 2005 models. It is not an exhaustive listing of every model the company ever produced. Nevertheless it gives a pretty good background of what one is looking at. Every page of this book has color and/or black/white photogrpahs, and some are shot in closeup views. If you're considering buying a vintage Vespa, I would recommend this reference book.

4 comments about Vespa: An Illustrated Story.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. The title of the book is decieving for while the archival pictures are quiant, this is not a diffinative historical picture filled book on the Vespa. It's a pictorial book about the Douglas Motorcycle companies relationship with Vespa, nothing else. There are basic attempts to detail what happened in the two companies history and the models that were produced but it isn't what the title makes it out to be. Buy it if you just want to know more triva, not for hard core data like you would want to know on specific models Vespa made and when they made them.



4. 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.

1 comments about Vespa : From Italy with Love.

1. Especially LOTS of great colour photos, including ones of various models with some specifications (up to modern models), and extracts from vintage Vespa calendars and advertising as well as photos of muddy messy scooter scrambling! The text is also very interesting and gives a history of the development of the Vespa scooter. The only thing I did not like about it was the use of American spelling (it's an Italian book), but I coped with that. I think anyone who has a Vespa should own this book (I have two Vespas).

1 comments about On My Vespa (Permanent Collection of Italian Design).

1. This was a gift for my father-in-law and he loved it. It has great visual and written accounts of the Vespa. Great gift for anyone who is a fan of the scooter...

5 comments about Vroom with a View: In Search of Italy's Dolce Vita on a '61 Vespa.

1. After doing my own smaller version of touring through Italy, its fun to read about another person's adventures. I'm reading it and knowing exactly what he is talking about. Its a really fun read.



2. Absolutely charming. Mr. Moore has technical tribulations with the ancient Vespa he purchases, but that only adds to the story of how he falls in love with Northern Italy. Go to his website disclosed at the back of the book for the extra photos he took. If I ever get to Chianti, I will buy a modern Vespa and travel the same route.



3. Never have I been more entertained by, or more envious of, of an author's escapades than in Peter Moore's 'Vroom with a View.' If you already love Vespas, it's a must-read... if, on the other hand, you'd never given the lovable scooters more than a second thought, be prepared to spend countless hours scouring the internet for your own personal Sophia.



4. As an owner of a Vespa with little free time or enough daring to travel solo through Italy myself, I found this book to be a wonderful way to fulfill a fantasy. Moore's writing is accessible to all readers regardless of their Vespa status. It works as well as a travelogue for anyone considering an off-the-beaten-path tour of Italy as it does for those of us with a special love for the joy of riding a Vespa.
   
   I also recommend his short piece on riding in Vietnam which can be purchased through Amazon too.
   
   Here's hoping that Moore will find himself on a Vespa with pen and paper in some exotic (or not so exotic) place soon!



5. I loved it! I don't have more to say than the others here except, what the hell is with that ONE STAR from someone who had only positive things to say about it?

No comments about Vespa P/PX125, 150 & 200 Scooters 1978 to 2006 (Haynes Manuals).

4 comments about Vespa Scooters Owners Workshop Manual: All rotary valve models 1959 to 1978: No. 126 (Owners Workshop Manual).

1. There arent very many Vespa scooter repair manuals out there that are in english. So why not get this one?



2. If you own a vinatge Vespa from 1959-1978 you should own this service manual even if you don't plan on working on your scooter. It helps with routine maintence, trouble shooting, and just basic knowledge of your machine. Take care of you scooter and it will take care of you. Tons of pictures, parts and wire diagrams. A MUST HAVE!!!!



3. This is a great book for minor OR major repair to Vespa scooters. It covers vintage models of different styles. For the Sprint 150cc, I found the wiring diagram easy and helpful. It appears the diagrams for others were as complete. All were color coded as well. The book is well illustrated for most any job necessary.



4. Perfect book to read and help you understand your vespa. I feel its a good book.

2 comments about Vespa: 1946-2006: 60 Years of the Vespa.

1. This is really a fun book. Its got pretty pictures, its got info, and it has a description of pretty much every Vespa ever made. I didn't say all Vespas, but pretty much all as collectors we have drooled over. The book describes the legacy of Vespa all the way up to the GT60. Everything from airplanes, to Apé, to outboard motors as well. It even has advertising throughout the ages, which should give a chuckle or two.



2. A pesar de no conocer gran cantidad de libros acerca de la mítica máquina italiana, esta obra entrega gran parte de la información que todo verdadero entusiasta de la Vespa desea obtener: Historia completa (desde los orígenes de Piaggio en el siglo XIX hasta los movimientos recientes de la empresa), desarrollo tecnológico, presencia mundial, "cultura Vespa", modelos producidos año tras año (aunque al parecer refiere únicamente los comercializados en Italia y Europa), muy buena cantidad de material gráfico y fichas técnicas no muy profundas pero con información suficiente para el aficionado promedio.
   El libro de Sarti, adicionalmente, se edita en un año importante para la historia de la Vespa (además de cumplirse seis décadas de su desarrollo): aquel en donde la posibilidad de que se suprima la producción del modelo PX con motorización dos tiempos genera un crucial punto de quiebre para los amantes de los clásicos.
   Muy buen formato, excelente impresión. Algunos errores de continuidad.

2 comments about Vespa.

1. I got the book as a birthday present for a friend who owns a 1968 vespa. Compared to all the other Vespa books, this had the best combination of vespa-nerd technical information and great historical content -- not just about the development of the scooter, but about how it affected people around the world. I also love the "pillowy" cover, which makes the book not just visually entertaining (so many great photos), but, also just holding it is a great tactile experience.



2. Although the book is deceptively small, its contents are very comprehensive. Contained between its high quality hard covers is a comprehensive view of the Vespa history, current and former production models and associated marketing programs. It's a very handy travel volume for those of us who love to strike up conversations about the world's most popular scooter brand.

5 comments about How to Restore and Maintain Your Vespa Motorscooter (Motorbooks Workshop) (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. Great little book with lots of great info: from the history of Vespa scooters to tips about choosing the right model to (of course) information about restoring and maintaining the scooter, the book has it all!
   
   Pictures are all in b&w and the look is a little old-fashioned, but I don't think that is necessarily a big problem.
   
   If you really have to own ONE book about Vespa scooters, this should be it!



2. I have the Hanes manual which is good, but it slightly intimidating if you know nothing about engines or are not mechanically inclined. This book is more friendly and actually gives me hope that I can learn and work on my own Vespa. If you or not a grease monkey by trade, this is a good book for a weekend grease monkey. And I'm not throwing poo, this book is for real.



3. How to Restore and Maintain Your Vespa Motorscooter (Motorbooks Workshop) (Motorbooks Workshop)
   
   written mainly for american market but very informative and detailed,it should be noted that some models such as the T5 were not imported into the USA and are therefore not covered otherwise lots of tips and guides on restoration



4. Although unless you actually own a Vespa, or really like to learn all you can about them, you may find it a little boring.



5. This book was obviously written to teach the novice Vespa enthusiast the nitty-gritty details of scooter repair and restoration, through the eyes of someone who mastered the art! Bob Darnell's take on both simple and complicated tasks gives any reader invaluable insight into how to do it right! I would recommend this to anyone.