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Vespa marks 80 years of Italian heritage with the Edizione Ottantesimo
Celebrating eight decades of an Italian icon.
Vespa has been building motorcycles for eight decades now, and in that time the Italian brand has turned into one of those rare names that people recognize even if they've never swung a leg over a scooter. To celebrate the milestone, the company threw a four-day bash called Vespa Roma 2026 – 80 Years of an Icon at Foro Italico in Rome, and used the occasion to pull the wraps off a new limited-run model: the Vespa Edizione Ottantesimo.
Production is capped at exactly 1,946 units, a nod to the year Vespa first came into existence. The scooter itself is built on the bones of the GTS 310, currently the brand's top-spec offering in terms of both power and tech. Like most Vespas before it, the Edizione Ottantesimo keeps the steel monocoque construction that's been part of the lineup's DNA since the beginning. Where it stands apart is in the finish: a matte metallic grey paired with green touches on the seat, wheels, and graphics package, all pulling inspiration from the earliest production models that rolled out of the factory decades ago.
Beyond the reveal itself, the anniversary festivities pulled in Vespa loyalists from all corners of the globe, many of whom had already made their way to Rome days before the event officially kicked off. Foro Italico served as the hub for it all, transformed into what organizers dubbed the Vespa Village for the duration of the celebration.
Once the Village opened its doors, two notable ceremonies tied to the anniversary took place. The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato unveiled a commemorative coin struck specifically for the occasion, while Poste Italiane held a first-day cancellation ceremony, adding a philatelic touch to Vespa's big birthday bash.
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