Vespa Rally Piaggio’s saviour of the 1970s

This year marks the 40th anniversary since Piaggio stopped production of the Vespa Rally. It lasted for 11 years, having first being launched in 1968, and was one of the longest production runs in the company’s history, and certainly as a flagship model. Its debut couldn’t have come at a harder time in the industry with people’s attitudes changing towards the way they travelled, beginning a progression towards the motor car. Staying afloat was becoming more and more difficult as sales of two-wheeled vehicles began to decline drastically. Only the fittest would survive, and along the way many would fall. Even the once mighty Lambretta didn't make it, succumbing in 1971. For Piaggio, it was vital that they maintained strength through sales, and undoubtedly the Rally played a major role in that happening.

Launch

The Rally first made its debut in 1968 and was seen as a direct replacement of the SS 180. The engine, for now, would remain the same capacity at 180cc, but later on in production would change. Though there were alterations they weren’t too drastic, and certainly from a bodywork point of view both looked similar from the outside. Of course, there would be some changes, but they were