A Vespa 400 at auction at RM Sotheby's in Miami

Renowned auction house RM Sotheby's has announced the auction of a 1959 Vespa 400, which will be sold as lot 204 at the Miami event scheduled for February 28, 2025. This microcar, rare in the United States, represents a unique opportunity for collectors of vintage vehicles and enthusiasts of historic Piaggio production. In addition to the vehicle, the lot also includes a customized trailer with the Vespa 400 logo, a perfect accessory for those who want to display and transport the vehicle in complete safety.

This example is the product of a father-and-son restoration that has earned numerous awards at prestigious automotive events overseas . The result is a car that has captured awards such as the Senior Award at the 2022 Antique Automobile Club of America Eastern Spring Nationals, First Prize at the 2021 Aaca Eastern Fall Nationals, and Best Italian Specialty at the 2022 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Numerous custom-made parts were used during the restoration process, including interior trim, decals, sun visors, and handcrafted mechanical parts.

However, the restoration does take some stylistic liberties that depart from the original . The car is finished in a metallic grey, an elegant shade, but one that was not part of the six original pastel shades , and the interior is in red leather, a color never intended for this model. Furthermore, the front logo is incorrect, as it is the one for the tailgate . This aspect reflects a common characteristic in the United States, where the passion for restoration is evident, but often there is a tendency to spend more on the intervention and less on historical research. It cannot therefore be proposed as a splendid example of restoration, but as a customization project.

Launched in 1957 in Monte Carlo, the Vespa 400 immediately aroused great curiosity. Designed by Piaggio but produced in France, in the Acma plant in Fourchambault , it was produced until 1961 in approximately 30,000 units, divided into three versions. In the first twelve months of production, 12,000 units were sold, a sign of the success of the model. The idea of ​​creating a four-wheeled Vespa started from the desire to exploit the concept and success of the scooter , to create a vehicle capable of offering greater protection from the elements and a more comfortable ride. Making it ideal for the streets of European cities.

This little car was equipped with a 400 cc two-stroke twin-cylinder engine , a solution that is difficult to reproduce today due to strict environmental regulations, which for the time was economical and easier to produce. The design included a monocoque architecture, with a sophisticated telescopic strut suspension system , which made it innovative for the period. Inside, the rear space could be used for luggage or to accommodate two children , making it a perfect solution for urban mobility.

This 1959 Vespa 400 will be offered without reserve, meaning it will be sold to the highest bidder, regardless of the amount achieved during the auction . The starting price is estimated at between 25,000 and 35,000 dollars (about 24,000 - 34,000 euros), but the value of Vespa 400s in Europe varies between 6,000 and 10,000 euros for an example to be restored and up to about 20,000 euros for a vehicle already restored. However, if the vehicle was originally registered in Italy, the value can increase further, and exceed 25,000 euros. In fact, only about 90 units were distributed in Italy , a number certainly lower than the examples exported to the United States.