The Vespa motor scooter caused quite a stir when it was launched in 1946 - just one year after the end of the War. Its futuristic and innovative design remains substantially unchanged after over 40 years. This is the illustrated history of the Vespa, its variants and imitators, its sporting and performance record and its worldwide travels. ICONS OF STYLE is a brand new series of compact illustrated books which celebrate the most iconic transport designs of the 20th century. Each book focuses on a different vehicle or marque and documents its concept and development, launch and production, its variants and derivatives. The photographs are a mix of archive and factory shots, images from advertising and brochures, and location portraits, all of which exemplify the iconic style of the era.