"The Piaggio Ape is a three-wheeled light commercial vehicle manufactured and marketed by Piaggio as an adaption of the company's Vespa Scooter. In continuous production since its 1948 introduction, it is offered in numerous body configurations to serve a wide range of utilitarian functions. The Ape was initially marketed as the VespaCar or TriVespa, but Piaggio subsequently marketed the utility vehicle just as the Ape, the word being derived from the Italian for ‘Bee’; its scooter marketed as the Vespa, meaning ‘Wasp’.
Currently two model ranges are offered; the ‘Ape 50’ with a 49.8cc petrol engine and the larger ‘Ape TM’ which comes available with a 218cc petrol engine. On offer here is the larger TM version with its 218cc engine. Whilst not a motorway contender, it does give the little tipper plenty of power to haul around whatever you may wish. Its flashing orange hazard light above the cabin, fitted by its first owners, Essex County Council, was presumably fitted to warn other road users of urgent Essex Council business! As a council vehicle this little Ape is fully UK registered, something which can be problematic for such vehicles with today’s modern safety standards. The tipper bed is hydraulically operated, making for easy removal of whatever load it may contain.
Both the ‘TM’ and ‘Classic’ models can carry 700 to 805 kg (1543 to 1775 lb), with fuel consumption for the Ape TM model being about 71 miles per gallon so, whilst not fast, it is very cheap to run. Supplied with its UK V5C registration document, this little Tipper would make for a fun little runabout or a great promotional vehicle for your company. Either way you can imagine being a charming Italian, driving around Rome or Lake Como, chatting and stopping for a coffee with everyone you see on your rounds."