Piaggio Ape: The Tiny Truck That Put The World's Working Men on Wheels

(all pictures from Wikimedia Commons)

Let's reflect on the years immediately after World War II. While the US and British Commonwealth had their own domestic or locally-assembled light trucks along with countless surplus US military Jeeps, much of the rest of the world relied on horse and wagon or pushcart to conduct business on the ravaged streets of the European continent and the then largely nonmotorized areas of sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Former aircraft manufacturer turned motorcycle maker Piaggio, of Pontadera, Italy, came up with the idea of adding a two-wheeled rear axle, extended chassis and wooden cargo bed to their popular Vespa motorscooter for use in commerce as well as in the postwar reconstruction of Italy.

An immaculately restored Ape A

The vehicle, launched in 1947 and initially called the Piaggio TriVespa but later dubbed Piaggio Ape (pronounced ah-pay and Italian for honeybee, Vespa means wasp and a bee-related name was only natural), was very popular, and updates arrived quickly.

By 1952, the Ape B boasted a 150cc engine, pressed steel cargo bed, and cable-operated gearchange. Styling changed negligibly until the completely new Ape C arrived four years later.

Piaggio Ape C on display in a US shopping mall car-show exhibit

The 1956 Piaggio Ape C boasted such luxuries as an optional enclosed cab with a full frontal cowling standard, it had a full-width driver's seat allowing room for a passenger, and the 150cc 2-stroke single with optional electric starter was located under the driver's seat. The virtually identical Ape D, sold concurrently for three years, arrived in 1964 with a 175cc two-stroke single, a heated cab on closed models and a front fender-mounted headlamp; it was updated further into the Ape MP (Motore Posteriore, meaning rear-engine), with a rear-mounted engine for reasons of comfort and weight distribution, and a version called the Pentaro, basically a cab and chassis Ape fitted with a semi-trailer, was available from 1960 to 1968.

"Wedge" Ape MP

All rear-engined Apes were restyled to the then-popular "wedge" look in 1981, with the standard model "TM" featuring a 218cc petrol or 422cc diesel engine and choice of a steering wheel or handlebars for the first time. By the 1990s, styling on all models was refreshed a bit, a 49.8cc model was available under "voiturette" policy in France for those without driving licenses or for those desiring a low-speed vehicle elsewhere, four-wheel versions were available, and 49.8cc vans could be had.

Ape Calessino on the floor at the Milan Motorcycle Show

In 2006, Piaggio introduced the retro Ape Classic, bringing the look of the 1960s' Ape C and D back along with production in India and a 422cc Lombardini diesel engine on Indian-built Apes. The luxurious and colorful Calessino autorickshaw concept car shown at the 2007 Milan Motorcycle Show proves that the Ape can be fun as well as practical, and shows the retro style of the Ape Classic very nicely.

 At some point, Bajaj, Mahindra & Mahindra, and several other companies in Third World countries copied the design of the mid-engine and early rear-engine Ape for use as the "Tuk-Tuk" autorickshaw used as public transit in the Third World, while also making Ape copies in truck and van form for workmen. These are nearly as familiar to the world at large as the Philippines' Jeepneys, and now Tuk-Tuks are made in the USA and exported globally. 

EV Rarity: 1980 Jet Industries Electravan (Subaru Sambar)

Meme face added to protect owner's privacy.

Compare size to a modern "minivan"


In the late 1970s, at the beginning of a second fuel crisis, a company in Austin, Texas saw an opportunity in importing engineless "glider" versions of the Subaru Sambar, a vehicle that had failed marvelously less than a decade before in an earlier iteration, then converting them to electric power. The finished product was a tiny 5-seater minivan with a short electrical power range and a diesel-fueled heater/defroster, that sold poorly and was withdrawn after a few years and not many made.

Here we have an updated, fully working, presentable 1980 Jet Electravan, for sale by an owner who seemingly knows his stuff, despite its short range and odd looks, it is still a great piece of EV history and a good alternative to a Zapcar, Kandi Coco or Zenn, since unlike those, the Electravan can go more than 25mph and is built well. However, there is no known tax credit for buying a classic EV. Replacing the existing bank of salvaged batteries will give a greater range and increase its reliability, but may be costly.

Find it here for $5000 in St. Paul, Minnesota (or go here if ad disappears)



Here is a video of an Electravan, showing us what it's all about. (not the vehicle on offer)

Forbidden Fruit: 1965 Piaggio Ape Project in Canada

The Piaggio Ape (pronounced ah-pay), made by the company most famous for the Vespa scooter, is not well-known in North America, but is ubiquitous in the Mediterranean and the Third World as an inexpensive working vehicle. This Ape has an unknown streamliner cargo bed and has been stored for many years, but is a great project, and can be imported to the US easily. Parts may be tricky (as with many other interesting vehicles), but eBay is a great source, and this enthusiast website is a great source of info on these interesting microtrucks. 

An advantage that the Ape has over a kei truck is that in places where all kei trucks regardless of model year are illegal, the Ape isn't, since it is legally considered a motorcycle. Most states also do not require a motorcycle endorsement for three-wheelers. 

Daihatsu Midget fans in states that say no to kei trucks, the Piaggio Ape (especially in closed-cab form) is for you!

Find it here for $1000 CDN in Coquitlam, British Columbia (or go here if ad disappears)