Vespa 400

The Vespa 400 is a micro car of Italian car manufacturer Piaggio.

Model history

Piaggio had produced during the Second World War military equipment, but also airplanes. As with the war broke the demand for aircraft, the company founded in 1884 saw as many European competitors in the production of civilian vehicles a promising field of activity. From 1946 Piaggio first exhibited his scooter Vespa, later adding the three-wheeled vans Ape. After a few years later vehicles like the Isetta or the German Goggomobil had proven successful in the mid- 1950s turned to also Piaggio four-wheeled microcar.

The development of Piaggio's first four-wheeled passenger cars began 1955 1956 the first prototypes were tested.; In September 1957, the Piaggio overlooking its engine capacity Vespa 400 car finally called at the Paris Auto Salon in public before. At the same time, the start of production of the Fiat Nuova 500 apparent, who raced in the same class as Piaggio car. In view of the new 500 Piaggio figured for his 400 only an outside chance on the Italian market. Instead, the company focused from the outset on France and Belgium as the main sales market. Therefore, the company decided early on to produce the 400 exclusively in French Vespa factory in Fourchambault in Burgundy.

Between 1957 and 1961, Piaggio put 30 076 copies of the model 400 ago. The vehicles were sold mainly in France, some cars also found buyers in Italy and Germany. 1700 cars were also exported to the United States.

Design Features

The Vespa 400 is factory marketed as a convertible, but basically it is a convertible sedan. The door frame and the side roof sections are fixed; However, can the fabric roof - similar to the Citroën 2CV - roll backwards. The body is kept in the pontoon style and has unlike some other contemporary Kleinstwagen a conventional threefold in the engine compartment and trunk and passenger compartment on. The car was designed as a four-seater, the rear seats, however, were useful only for small children. In comparison to other vehicles in this class fairly wide doors were hinged at the rear.

She was equipped with an air-cooled, 0.4 -liter two-cylinder two -stroke engine, which delivered 20 bhp. It was installed on the rear axle. Initially used Piaggio a manual three-speed transmission, the first gear was not synchronized. From 1960, there was instead a four-speed transmission.

The car was very short with an outside length of 2800 mm. The empty weight was less than 400 kg.

The choice was between two versions, one for the simple " Tourisme " version and the more frequently purchased " Luxe " version with the instrument cluster, two wipers and more ornaments. 1959 Vespa 400 was revised, he was sliding windows, better seats and pleasing interiors.

Priced Piaggio Vespa 400 was below the Fiat 500; it was also cheaper than the Goggomobil.

When in 1961 the sales were far declined, the production was stopped. Piaggio then focused on the production of scooters and vans.

Market value today

The Piaggio Vespa 400 takes on the German classic car market is a role of an outsider. There is currently no reliable price quotations. The popular classic car publications have no entries on this car. In the U.S. market, the subcompact cars very high prices reached in part: A needs conserving copy sold for $ 21,000 in 2009; a vehicle on exposure levels ( " Concours Condition" ) can cost up to $ 40,000.