In the mid-50s and early 60s, scooters ceased to be mere utilitarian transport born in the post-war period and became a fashion and a distinctive element of the citizen’s lifestyle. The popular explosion of the scooter caught most of the big brands by surprise – except, of course, Vespa and Lambretta, which were the ones who had caused it – and many of them faced the dilemma of joining the party or continuing to ignore them.
It must be understood that, at that time, classic style motorcycles were still the benchmark in the market and the scooter was seen as a minor product. And today it seems ridiculous but many manufacturers also feared losing prestige and being considered motorcycle builders “for teenagers and women” if they entered a market that also had an increasingly female presence.
Even so, there were brands that dared to try, with better or worse fortune. Some, in fact, came out so scalded that they never tried it again. Of course, in the changing and capricious motorcycle market, you can never say “I will not drink this water and a scooter will never leave my assembly lines again.”
