Among performance cars and elaborate builds, the Essen Motor Show will make room for a smaller expression of motoring enthusiasm. Vespa turns 80 this year, and the German show will mark the anniversary with an exhibition bringing together preservation, history and customisation.
The display will be in Hall 2 at Messe Essen from 28 November to 6 December 2026. It will also be open on Preview Day, 27 November.
From the first production year to modern custom builds
A 1946 Vespa V98 takes the story back to the brand’s first year of production. The 1950 Hoffmann HA recalls the scooter’s growing presence in Germany, adding another perspective to a vehicle that developed from everyday transport into an international enthusiasm.
The selection also includes the 1958 “Flying Snail”, with silver bodywork, racing number 177 and competition details. A red Vespa GTS 300 “Vintage” brings the exhibition towards more recent interpretations of the custom scooter.
A familiar shape with individual character
The appeal lies in seeing these approaches together. Preserving a scooter close to its original specification and giving another an individual appearance represent different relationships with the same enduring design. The exhibition explores both, rather than presenting eight decades simply as a timeline.
The accompanying photograph comes from the show’s advance Carwalk presentation, where Axel Bartels appeared with a Vespa GS 3. It offers a glimpse of the two-wheeled presence planned for this edition.
Planning a visit
Organisers announce more than 500 exhibitors from 19 countries across the Essen Motor Show. According to the 10 November release, a regular day ticket costs €20, and on-site ticket offices will accept cashless payments only. Check the official website for the conditions of individual tickets, including Preview Day admission, before booking.
Source: Messe Essen · 10 November 2026. Adapted from press information. Photograph: Armin Huber / © MESSE ESSEN GmbH.
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