World’s Most Expensive Scooter

Vespa was founded in post-WWII Italy when Enrico Piaggio, owner of Piaggio & Co., decided to take his company out of the aeronautics industry. Because many of Italy’s roads had been destroyed, motorbikes like the Cushman were more useful than automobiles. Inspired by the Cushman, Piaggio & Co. began working on a bike of their own. The result was the first globally successful scooter—the Vespa.

The Vespa featured a shield in front that helped keep the driver dry and clean, as well as a step-through frame that could accommodate women in long dresses. The internal mesh transmission eliminated the need for an exterior chain and the front fork design made it easy to change wheels.

The Vespa SS90 Super Sprint was introduced in 1965 and produced until 1971. It featured a narrower front end compared to other Vespas and a glove box and spare wheel mounted in the step-through area of the frame. It didn’t do so well during its run, however, making the SS90 a rare piece of Vespa history today.

Because of its rarity—only 5,309 were ever made—and Vespa’s storied history, the SS90 is now the world’s most expensive scooter. If you manage to find one, you can expect to pay over $7,000 to own this costly scooter.