Fifty Piaggio-produced GT60°s were sold in January, including one to scooter convert David Koch, the co-presenter on Channel Seven's Sunrise program. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the model is already appreciating at a rapid rate, with one unit now on sale in Sydney for $15,000- well above the $10,500 (plus ORC) retail price.
The GT60°'s vital organs are based on Vespa's premium GTS250ie, including the same environmentally friendly (Euro 3), 250cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-stroke engine. Meanwhile, styling hues have been commandeered from the original Vespa, such as the front mudguard-mounted headlight.
The GT60° has been released to much fanfare in Europe- much like the first Vespa, which made its public debut at the 1946 Milan show, and was even given the nod of approval by one of the Roman Catholic's church's top cardinals.
Two 98cc versions of the 1946 Vespa originally went on sale: 55,000 liras for the "normal" version and 61,000 liras for the "full biscuit" incarnation, which included a speedometer, lateral stand and stylish white-trim tyres.
Didn't manage to procure a GT60° Vespa says don't despair, because a high-volume version of the scooter will go on sale in March -- the GTV250ie (pictured, along with an example of the original).
Published : Thursday, 8 February 2007