1945 MP5 Paperino
Towards the end of the Second World War, Enrico Piaggio was driven to start up production by the idea of offering the widest possible market low-cost product. And, with this in mind, the factory at Biella produced a motor scooter (1943-1944). This prototype, designed by the engineer Renzo Spolti and coded MP5 (Moto Piaggio 5), was christened ‘Paperino’ meaning ‘Donald Duck’ by the workers. But Enrico Piaggio didn´t like it and passed the job over to Corradino D´Ascanio to review the project and build something different, more advanced both technically and stylistically. However, before evolving into the Vespa, about one hundred Paperinos were produced, which are today highly prized by collectors. [Image/Text Credit: Piaggio]