You'll go Ape Over This!
I used to get annoyed by these little Piaggio three wheelers when I was stuck behind them! What was I supposed to do? Laugh? Cry?
I guess that I've matured because when I saw this little thing the other day I fell in love with it!
Not only can you park them for free in many cities, including Lugano where I saw this one, but what more do you need for getting around in the city? It is a common sight in Italy as its compact size enables it to get to and park almost anywhere!
The Ape Celessino has about the same footprint as a motorcycle but it seats three. Cute, isn't it?
History of And Facts About The Piaggio Ape
- The name refers to the fact that it is for work because ape means bee in Italian
- It was produced after the second world war in 1947 to provide Italy with cheap transport to rebuild the nation!
- The first Apes had 50, 150 or later 175 cc engines
- It is basically a Vespa (scooter) with two wheels added to the rear and a flat bed structure added onto the axle
- It has been in continuous production since it first burst onto the scene!
- In 2013 Piaggio announced that it would only be produced in India in the future
- Depending on the model, this little truck can carry between 175-805 kg
- It has high torque for climbing hills but a low top speed which is fine for an urban setting!
The Ape Calessino
The model that captured my fancy is the Calessino. It has a retro look and a autorickshaw type body that can carry the driver and two passengers! The styling of this model is similar to those of the 50's and 60's and it was meant to bring back memories of Italy's amazing economic growth of that era! The so called Miracolo Economico!
The electrical company uses this for getting around in the city! Free parking and really, what more do you need!
It's basically a scooter with a cab built around it! Hey, whatever works as these things have been in use since 1947!
For comparison here's another Ape model which was parked in the same area. Not as beautiful but it works!
So there you have it, another gift from Italy to the world. This cool thing of the day has been in production for over 70 years and it's still going strong! It can be scene all over Europe and of course India!
What Are Your Impressions?
- Do you find the Ape cute, useful or just annoying?
- Do they use them in your area?
- Have you ever seen one?
I hope that you enjoyed this article about "The Cool Thing of The Day!"
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
I sure wouldn't mind scootin' around in one of those things...I should convince my better half to get one for us in our old age...!!😉😝
Good idea!
but its cute!
not safe though
never seen any around here
but I won't mind riding one
reminds me of a tuk tuk in Thailand
just moderner
not highly recommended to use in winter though :D
Bellissime! Very interesting!
Interesting and at times annoying!
Good to know that this thingy exist in your country too. I've seen many foreign tourists so excited about these three wheelers in my country that they used to take a joy ride in it clicking selfies all the way. So I used to think that this vehicles are specific to India only.
Here it is not used as a personal vehicle but only as a taxi service or public conveyance. So for the people here, who are thinking to possess one, I'd like to say that if you drive one in India, people will stop you to hire it LOL!
Cool! I love Ape (the Calessino you shown is awsome!), it remeber me of my vacations in Veneto when I was a kid. There still are some farmer or lumberjacks there, and a lot of them use the APE beacause you can carry a lot things on it! I was lucky enough to make the graphics for an Icecream Ape and it ended in a magazine about sign making :D:
Very cool graphic job @airmatti! Veneto, I forgot about that!
Ha, I have never seen these. They are funky! Amazed considering the driving of the average Italian that I saw when over there that they are allowed!
Italians a re fast and furious!
Nice. I am surprised all that strangling EU regulation has not force them off the road.
That's a good point. Legislate evertything out of existence!
Pollution, noise, too much carbon. Pick their excuse right.
China is joining the UK, France, and Norway in banning vehicles powered by fossil fuels.
First one is so lovely, but I'm to tall for this :)))
That could be!
I love them, In my area you only see them sometimes.. mostly on festival as foodtruck... I wish I bought them 20 years ago in Italy.. Now they are really a collectors item... but that is for a lot of things... so now let's save STEEM and we will see if that can bring me my pension in 20 years..
Yes Steem and pension might work!
I hope so. I hope you also can support this initiative. https://steemit.com/steemit/@rival/introducing-world-wide-steemit-day-please-read-and-react-thx
Wow....thats classic
So true!
How we call it is just a name :-) But it is and will be an APE ;-) And apes are cute, no matter how they look,.. we all have a bit from them..
Thank god they are not on the road here in Holland,.. on the other side, could be fun to have one for doing shopping, very convenient.
I saw them in Italie last summer and some look alikes ( like everything overthere) in China.
Thanks again for this nice topic which you share!
Yes good for shopping in urban areas!
or we must double stack
I see a lot of similar ones where I live in China. When it's raining you are King Kong of the bikes. You also don't need to worry about your hair getting messed up from the wind. I think this vehicle is underrated. Add free parking I would definitely drive it ! Hehe
Yes the free parking is a big draw!
Congratulations @kus-knee
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the Ape are really funny vehicles. I've seem them around all my life, mostly the model in this pic.
They are not so funny when you are in your car and have one of this 3-wheels things going at 20km/h of speed. :D
So true about getting stuck behind one of them!
As you can understand, here there are many Ape cars on the streets. They are very useful because is small, but you can use it as a tiny van to transport many things ;) Here many old men use one Ape and, sometimes, also young guy (it can be drive even if you have just the motorcycle license ^_^
Ape celestino is really nice, but here we see many "common" (and cheap) Ape like this:
Actually coming from North America these things make me laugh but they do serve a useful purpose! Thanks for the picture!
Yeah.. @kus-knee..😊
That is cool.. There in lot of the Apes are available in my country and I have used it so much.. Apes are using as a Taxi in my country.. There is two variety Apes are here.. One is petrol and other is diesel.. But diesel one is too jerky.. This is one more Ape from my country..
Wow, nice one!
Good post!
I can see them a practical; however, they sure are ugly and I think an eye-sore for the city.
I hope they don't catch on in N. America. :)
They do take some getting used to! Some are ugly and some, I think, are cute,
I absolutely love the strange and wonderful vehicles I have been seeing since my move to Europe. These little three wheelers, tiny little trucks, vintage motorcycles and scooters, it's a treasure trove of hilarious and wonderful vehicles :)
I feel the same way!
It is called Tempo in Nepal. And it is very comfortable and fancy to go from one place to another! Excellent content. Loved it
Thanks for adding your experience!
I've never seen this ape car before but I think it's the cutest car ever! I want to drive one!!
Maybe one day you'll get the chance!
Hahaha, sooo funny and cute! I've never seen it before but I'd love to have one! Especially if it's an electric car/or motocycle? :)))This reminds me to the legendary Velorex. I remember: When I was little, and saw a Velorex, laughed at it loudly and called it "haversack".
Yes the are sooo cute
When I lived in Italy I lived seeing Ape's everywhere. Now they are showing up in Panama.
I didn't know that you had loved in Italy! Wow, you've done a lot in your life! Bravo amico mio!
Oh wow these are so cute @kus-knee , and useful ! You could also carry all your groceries in the back it would be great in my touristy type of town , I love it ! I have not seen one here in towin but I did see them on The Amazing Race used as like Taxis ! Thanks for sharing , I wish I had one and hope you will also follow me on my new food blog account @momskitchen ! Thanks ! 👍✌💕👍✌💕
Great post
Golf carts are the most popular means for transportation when staying in the neighborhood. They are not licensed, so technically not street legal, but Ive never seen a problem with them. They are either gas or electric.
Right, I forgot about golf carts! Good for malls, airports etc....
I really like those cute vehicles and 3 seats is more than enough, I see lots of 1 person car in traffic jam. @OriginalWorks
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Ok good!
You're right about there being so many cars with one person!
fantastic information @kus-knee, well i like them because they are cheap and use very less amount of fuel and when we use them for travel we get lots of fresh air as well for free and that's really change our mood and yes we have them in our area called as autorickshaw and one day i drive it but due to overload on one side it turns upside down and i feel luckly i won't get hurt, the one main thing kept in mind while drive that weight should be balanced on both sides otherwise the driver should be in big trouble. thanks for sharing
I have not seen one before as they don't have them in my area (US). I can see how their compact size would be useful but I believe I would get annoyed if I was behind one.
somehow they look funny ... but somehow they look cool and cute :D
I always get something new from your posts.
This Ape looks very funny but i think it's cosy and the parking for free is very great!
I would like to make a little travel by this Ape) for test.
Such a pity that my country is still far from such technologies...
Can't wait to see your next post to find out something new🤗🤗
@kus-knee,
"Piaggio Ape Three Wheeler" are very common in my country. Another common Three Wheeler is Bajaj (Indian product) The below photography I could share from google, but I assure you in my area we can find best modified 3 Wheelers than this one! Some of them can compete with cars and vans also :D
A very useful product, and cheap price product too!
A great article from you again!
Cheers~
nice post, yes i find this vehicle pretty useful, it looks quite open so we surely gets lot's of fresh air and due to it's smaller size it should be very quick and economic as well and we can also travel with family anywhere in very cheap price, i have seen this but never use it for travelling purpose, i mostly use car and motorbike but i i get a change i should try it.
Hahaha Old Dog, in Nigeria we call them Keke Napep
They can be terrifying at full speed. I once saw it involved in an accident- It was rolling non-stop like a Football.
Though it fetches money for thosands in the City of Lagos Nigeria as public transport, have taken countless ride in those 3-wheelers.
They are very useful. In India you can see them running on the roads for 24 hours carrying passengers from railway stations, airports, schools, colleges etc. They play a major role in earning livelihood.
@kus-knee - oh Sir, it's a very famous transport service in Sri Lanka too. Have different versions, and modified them and added more features. Very useful product for travelers & farmers in my country Sir. Lovely post you shared. Therefore, I wish to ReSteem your post.
+W+ [UpVoted & ReSteemed]
amigo #resteemia at your service
interesting article & nice ape :) nice you shared your wonderful experience with us.excellent article @kus-knee
ReSteemia
'UpVoted ReSteemed Commented'
Seams like a some form of a hybrid. It is probably cost effective and works well to get around. i wish we had that here in the states. Thanks.
Old tampo
Nice car i want too drive)))
Thanks for comfortable vehicle, which are the gift of Italy to India. Yes little tempo are seen every where in my place specialy in the remote areas. Thanks for sharing such a valuable message, wish you all the best friend.
These have a certain charm. We have these stupid little smart cars in the US that are ugly and annoying. And they only seat 2.
So do you need a scooter license for those things, or a drivers license?
I like apes. They are cute and usefull. In Berlin many restaurants have one for caterings or mobile espresso.
Pined on my board :-)
nice trip,i like it
Nice tempo.
@kus-knee - I think they are practical for Europe where streets are narrow in most of the city centers and parking space is at a premium. They dont look too exciting but they work and that is all that matters. I have seen many many three wheelers in India for transporting people and goods. They are called Auto-rikshaws. Are made by Bajaj company who had a collaboration with Piaggio.
Thanks for this trip down memory lane for me (making me remember the Indian Auto-rikshaws). Upvoted full.
Regards,
Hello, my name is Nadine and I am new on Steemit. Would be very nice if you could check out my post and maybe you want to follow back. Thank you.
https://steemit.com/travel/@leo-tmp/explore-the-beauty-of-northern-thailand-chiang-mai-my-travel-diary
And I really love your post. Great!
I have seen pictures of those before but never had the experience of running into one in real life in USA. I have a feeling here they would try and outlaw them for safety concerns.
I have to say they are interesting and solve the issue of transportations space that is lacking on smaller footprint scooters/bikes.
In Indonesia we called it as Bajaj