Giuseppe Cau, the meeting with the Vespa rider
I had the privilege of meeting Giuseppe Cau, symbol of the Vespa icon of Italian design in the world.
Last week the Vespa turned 75 years old! In the same days the made in Italy icon has also exceeded 19 million units produced since ’46. Two important milestones that confirm what the brand from Pontedera represents in the collective imagination: a symbol of freedom and Italian design. I have had the opportunity to discover and experience the most authentic values of the Vespa from very close up. That’s why I want to tell you about my meeting with Giuseppe Cau, champion and symbol of the most famous scooter in the world.
Who is Giuseppe Cau
One man in particular has had the merit of being able to represent the soul of the Vespa to perfection. This man is Giuseppe Cau, born in 1928, Roman by birth but Pontedera by adoption.
“Giuseppe, your ideal vehicle is the Piaggio Vespa. As small as you are, who’s going to stop you on that one?”. These were the words of Luciano Moroni when the then 18-year-old Giuseppe was working in his mechanical workshop.
As soon as a Vespa arrived to be repaired, the boy didn’t wait long to ask permission to pilot it for the race at Lido di Ostia. Driving a simple touring Vespa, he managed to place second in front of real pilots on racing models.
From that first competition onwards nothing will be the same as before. From 47′ on board the iconic Vespa he brought home one victory after another. Nobody could stop him. That’s how he got noticed by Enrico Piaggio in person, who in 1948 brought him to Pontedera to entrust him with the development of the Vespa.
Symbol of the Piaggio Racing Department, gold medal at the Six Days of 1951 and true icon of the most famous scooter ever. Pilot, mechanic, tester and precious advisor for new ideas.
He was also the protagonist of the first Vespa acrobatic team and always came up with new improvements, such as the anti-fog visor.
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My meeting with Cau
Giuseppe Cau, in addition to perfectly embodying the spirit of the Pontedera brand, is also a beautiful person. I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Cau at the Piaggio Museum during the 2019 Tuscan edition of Bull Days.
A special moment to share not only the passion for speed and to learn the stories of the legendary Vespa “jockey”, but also to forge a genuine friendship. On that occasion I discovered together with him and his epic tales a collection unique in the world.
The Museum was founded in 2000 in the premises of the former workshop to enhance the historical heritage of one of the oldest Italian companies. Today the Piaggio Museum is the largest Italian museum dedicated to two wheels and periodically organizes temporary exhibitions in the field of modern and contemporary art.
But in addition to the museum visit, the Vespa champion invited me to his home to admire the many memorabilia collected throughout his life. Every award, every painting and historical photo, every object told of his successes and the 75 years of Vespa’s glorious history.
He explained to me the tricks he had up his sleeve on the track, but also when he was young and frail as he was when he started working for Piaggio. His first successes, the victories at the Salita della Merluzza, the Sassi Superga, the Coppa di Perugia, the Six Days of International Motorcycling and all the other great victories.
At the end he also wanted to show me and let me ride some of the legendary Vespas of his private collection full of special series and unique museum pieces. Among these stands out the “Super Cau” a commemorative model and limited edition of 99 copies completely designed and built by Cavalier Cau.
This two-wheeler in fact wants to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the birth of the Vespa and at the same time one of its most important “interpreters”. Not at home appears on the shield the 94, which was the racing number of Giuseppe Cau. I thank him again for having hosted me and for having shared with me his story and his passion.
The most loved scooter in the world
This meeting, with all the exciting events connected, is certainly emblematic of how Vespa is a historic yet always contemporary brand. When a product or an object of design goes beyond its simple function, it becomes a legend.
It is no longer something material, it becomes a symbol of dreams and ideals. This is the case of Vespa, not just a simple scooter, but a true worldwide cultural phenomenon.
Protagonist of the post-war boom, it soon became an emblem of freedom and emancipation for young people all over the world. The joy of living, light-heartedness and the desire to look to the future without fear are the intrinsic values of the iconic two-wheeler.
A unique scooter capable of inspiring creative people all over the world with its lively spirit and genuine simplicity. Proof of this are the numerous partnerships with prestigious brands such as Dior, (RED) and Sean Wotherspoon.
So much so that the Pontedera-based brand doesn’t feel the 75 candles recently blown out at all. Marketed in 83 countries on all continents, long a protagonist in mass culture, the Vespa is a timeless style icon.
Stefano Cigana
