Piaggio Ape

File:Piaggio, motofurgone Ape, 1948 - san dl SAN TXT-00003404 (page 6 crop).jpg.{{Cite web|url=http://www.san.beniculturali.it/web/san/dettaglio-oggetto-digitale?pid=san.dl.SAN:TXT-00003404| title=Piaggio - Motofurgone Ape. Dettaglio Oggetto Digitale|website=Sistema Archivistico Nazionale|access-date=2018-02-21}}]]

After World War II, many Italians could not afford personal transportation. In 1947, aircraft designer Corradino D'Ascanio conceived a light and simple three-wheeled commercial vehicle, which found favor with Piaggio. The first model was a cabless adaptation of the company's two-wheel scooter, the Vespa, adding two rear wheels and a flat utility bed over the rear axle.

Initial models featured 50 cc,{{cite web |url=http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/GREENCARS/piaggio-ape.htm |title=Piaggio Ape Commercial Vehicle |publisher=Greencarsite.co.uk |date= |access-date=2013-02-17 |archive-date=2007-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224092837/http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/GREENCARS/piaggio-ape.htm }} 125 cc or 150 cc engines and, later, a 175 cc engine. By the time of the 1964 Ape D, a cab was added to protect the driver from the elements.{{Cite web|url=http://www.piaggioape.co.uk/|title=piaggioape.co.uk|website=www.piaggioape.co.uk|access-date=2016-06-19}}

File:Piaggio Ape Kasten.jpg

With handlebar steering (a steering wheel became a later innovation), the original Ape was a single-seater that could provisionally accommodate two passengers of modest size. A door was provided on each side, to facilitate entry and exit. Performance was modest, suited to light delivery, with adequate torque for hills and a low top speed. On larger roads, Apes could be driven close to the curb to allow other vehicles to pass.

File:ApeIndiaCrop.JPG

File:MHV Piaggio Ape 01.jpg

File:Ape Calessino.jpg

The Ape has been marketed in various configurations, including as vans and pickups for load carrying (popular with postal administration in some countries) and as an autorickshaw. More recently Piaggio has offered models such as the Ape Cross Country and the Ape Web aimed at the youth market. The Ape is also commonly used as a promotion tool, with advertising signboards mounted in the load bay.

The Ape is common in Italy where its compact size allows it to negotiate narrow streets, park easily, and serve as an impromptu market stall.

Most Apes are produced in India by Piaggio India. In India, the Ape is most commonly found in the form of an autorickshaw. A relatively small number of Apes were still made in Italy, but on 16 October 2013, Piaggio announced that Italian production of the Ape would end and construction would move entirely to India.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2013/11/01/veicoli-commerciali-dopo-65-anni-piaggio-decide-di-sospendere-produzione-italiana/763519/ |title=Veicoli commerciali, dopo 65 anni Piaggio sospende la produzione italiana dell'Ape |publisher=www.ilfattoquotidiano.it |date=2013-11-01 |access-date=2013-11-01}}

Currently two model ranges are offered: the "Ape 50" with a 49.8 cc petrol engine[http://www.piaggioape.co.uk/50_panelvan.html APE 50 - Panel Van] at piaggioape.co.uk, accessed 8 May 2018 and the larger "Ape TM" which comes available with a 218 cc petrol engine or a 422 cc diesel engine.[http://www.piaggioape.co.uk/tm_panelvan.html Ape TM 703 - Panel Van] at piaggioape.co.uk, accessed 8 May 2018

The "Ape 50" can carry {{convert|175|to|205|kg|abbr=on}} while the "TM" and "Classic" can carry {{convert|700|to|805|kg|abbr=on}} (depending on version and engine).{{cite web|title=APE brochure|url=http://www.piaggiocommercialvehicles.com/assets/778/VTLApeLowRes.pdf|work=piaggiocommercialvehicles.com|access-date=30 January 2013}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Fuel consumption for the current Ape 50 model is about {{convert|30|km/L|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Meet the Ape from Piaggio|url=http://www.irishtrucker.com/articles/2004/april/ape.asp|work=irishtrucker.com|access-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818150412/http://www.irishtrucker.com/articles/2004/april/ape.asp|archive-date=2013-08-18}}{{cite news|title=Piaggio Ape: Not quite planet of the Apes|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/piaggio-ape-not-quite-planet-of-the-apes-522305.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211014641/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/piaggio-ape-not-quite-planet-of-the-apes-522305.html|archive-date=December 11, 2008|work=independent.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2013|location=London|date=2006-01-10}}

A limited edition named the Calessino was offered with retro styling in an autorickshaw configuration and two colors white and anniversary blue – the design evoking the Ape of the 1950s and 1960s.{{cite web|url=http://www.piaggioape.co.uk/calessino.html |title=Piaggio Ape Calessino - Limited Edition |publisher=Piaggioape.co.uk |date=2010-11-02 |access-date=2013-02-17}}

A design modified for racing for the Piaggio Ape has been built. The Ape Proto is hand-made and it contains modifications to enable drifting and faster driving. It has been used in special racing competitions, like the Ape RR Show in San Marino.[http://www.apeprotoevolution.com/ Latest News regarding Ape Proto Evolution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128193720/http://www.apeprotoevolution.com/ |date=2020-11-28 }} apeprotoevolution.com, accessed 28 May 2018

Together with the Reliant Robin, the Ape was a major inspiration for the Ibishu Pigeon on BeamNG.drive.

• 1948–1952 – Ape A: 125 cc engine, wooden pick up bed, front fork mounted to the left of the wheel hub and column mounted gear lever.
• 1952–1956 – Ape B: similar to the A model but with a 150 cc engine, a pressed steel cargo bed, front fork mounted to the right of the wheel hub and cable operated gear change.
• 1956–1967 – Ape C: Still sporting a 150 cc engine but with a major redesign: the first Ape with an enclosed cab, the engine uses a 5% oil mix and is sited under the driver's seat. It was still manually started, but electric start was optional.
• 1964–1967 – Ape D: 175cc engine. Featured a trapezoidal headlight fitted on the bulkhead rather than the mudguard and an intake valve that allowed the engine to run with a 2% oil mix. The first Ape with cab heater.
• 1965–1973 – Ape E: Identical to the D model but with a 150 cc engine.
• 1968–1978 – Ape MP: MP stood for Motore Posteriore (Rear Engine), the engine was moved from the cab to the rear to improve comfort.
• 1970–1978 – Ape E/400R: 175 cc engine and minor changes.
• 1979–1981 – Ape P: 175 cc, with minor changes.
• 1981–1993 – Ape 500: 175 cc, new front with two headlights on each side.
• 1994–1999 – Ape Web & Ape Cross: 49.8 cc engine, redesigned front and rear headlights, roll-bar.
• since 1982 – Ape TM: 218 cc petrol and 422 cc diesel variants. Available with handlebar or steering-wheel. Maximum speed for the petrol version is 60 km/h, 63 km/h for the diesel version.[http://www.piaggioape.co.uk/downloads/Ape%20TM%20Pick%20Up.pdf APE TM specifications at piaggioape.co.uk] accessed 8 May 2018
• since 1996 – Ape 50: 49.8 cc, redesign of the headlights incorporating side lights.
• since 1996 – Ape Furgone 50: van version of the Ape 50.
• since 2000 – Ape Cross Country 50: sport-look restyling of preceding Ape 50.
• since 2006 – Ape Classic: built also in India with a Lombardini 422 cc Diesel engine.
• 2007–2009 – Ape Calessino: limited edition models built in Italy by Piaggio with a Lombardini 422 cc Diesel engine (999 in blue produced between 2007 and 2009 then 600 in white produced from 2009) plus an Electric LV zero-emission model (100 in white produced in 2009)
• 2013–present – Ape Calessino 200: a smaller Calessino model with a 200cc petrol engine (currently in ongoing unlimited production)
• 2013–present – Ape Classic 400: a flat bed pick up truck with drop down sides; with a 435cc diesel engine by Greaves Cotton, manufactured in India and homologated for the European market; single seat; electric heater as standard.

• 1960–1968 – Ape Pentarò: standard Ape with a semi-trailer.{{cite web|title=Curbside Classic: 2002 Piaggio Ape 50 – It's Pronounced Ah-Peh|url=http://www.curbsideclassic.com/uncategorized/curbside-classic-2002-piaggio-ape-50-its-pronounced-ah-peh/|work=curbsideclassic.com|access-date=30 January 2013}}
• 1993–2005 – Ape Poker: four-wheel version of the Ape TM, with the same engine.

File:Piaggio Ape MKI.jpg|Ape B with wooden bed

File:Piaggio Ape C.jpg|Ape C

File:Bee transports wasp in profile.JPG|Ape P501 in profile (with a Vespa as the load)

File:Ape Cross Country.jpg|Ape Cross Country

File:Piaggio Ape Poker.jpg|Ape Poker

File:Piaggio Ape50 clean machine.jpg|Ape 50 used as a garbage truck

File:PiaggioApe-inPoland.JPG

File:Vespa truck.jpg

File:Apecar.jpg|1977 Apecar LS

File:Piaggio Ape Calessino in Tarifa, Southern Spain - Limited Edition (No. 214 of 999).JPG|Ape Calessino (2007 model)

• List of motorized trikes

{{reflist}}

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• [http://www.piaggiocommercialvehicles.com/ Official Site]

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Ape

Category:Three-wheeled motor vehicles

Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1948