Enrico Piaggio’s intent was to offer an easy-to-use, economical, and versatile vehicle, a light transport for the working man, alongside his revolutionary personal transport, the Vespa scooter. He commissioned his talented and creative engineer Corradino D’Ascanio to once again come up with a solution, a light three-wheeled commercial vehicle affectionately named the bee, or Ape.

The first version of the Ape debuted in 1948 and was essentially an open 125-ccVespa scooter with a two-wheeled, hydraulically braked chassis in place of the rear wheel. Any number of bodies could be erected on it, the most iconic being the beechwood and masonite-framed Giardinetta (later called the Calessino). The model “B” followed in 1952, with a 150-cc motor. The Ape’s incredible adaptability to design variations remained, and the initial eight rose to 20 different body styles by 1958. Eventually the Ape would come to be recognized as making a decisive contribution to the revival of trade and goods transport during the rough years of reconstruction following World War II. A symbol of Italy at work, it became a huge success around the world, thanks to its incredible handling and superlative payload/tare ratio.