When it is an Ape, of course.
Another little Italian lesson: ape is pronounced ah-pay, and means bee in Italian.
They are tiny 3 wheeled vehicles, nowadays seen less frequently in cities of Italy, but still found in small towns and the country. And now, I’ve discovered someone owns 2 of them in Myrtleford. He uses them out on his farm, they’re not registered for road use.
This little fellow was at one of the local garages, having some maintenance work done.
The motor is a whopping 50cc! The driving controls are smack in the middle of the interior, which doesn’t leave much room for a passenger. This model boasts a motor-bike type of control, with the throttle and gear shift on the handles.
Its a vespa they are so cool
LikeLike
So when are you off to Italy again?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Jane. I leave on 18 March, so not long now! First stop is Prato.
LikeLike
Cute car for when you want to monkey around! 😉 🙂 💜 Jackie@KWH
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to own it, Jackie. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup… some serious curb ape-peal, there! 😉 🙂 💜 Jackie@KWH
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous. This I have not seen when in Italy (Milano, Rome, Naples and Sorrento), but similar in France. Thank You for this interesting post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good evening, Sartenada. There seem to be fewer of these little vehicles in the cities these days. I’ll be in Naples in April, I’ll keep my eyes ope, for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought and thought and then it came to me. Italian came from Latin and ipso facto the Latin for bee is apis and from hence cometh apiarist being a bee keeper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just saw your comment now, John. I wasn’t ignoring you, promise.
LikeLike
That’s OK. and my big sister wasn’t cross either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how it feels like 🙂
LikeLike
It was really a good experience, kutukamus, and something I had wanted to do for a long time.
LikeLike
Maybe Santa could use one, he seems to be stuck….
LikeLiked by 1 person
And, it would be economical, with no reindeer to feed, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There you go, budget conscience too!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want one! Maybe we could fix up an owners’ club and have a race day at Brands Hatch?
LikeLiked by 1 person
An Ape Rally! With shrimp on the barbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finally this is a kind of wheelbarrow with a motor.
The nice lady who drives it makes the nice motor bike -car ! 🙂
About Ape it must have a latin root. People who raise bees in hives for honey are called apiculteurs in French
Love ❤
Michel
LikeLiked by 1 person
You made me curious about the word, and I found that apiary had its otigin thus: mid 17th century: from Latin apiarium, from apis ‘bee’.
I was so happy they let me sit in the little Ape, Michel. ❤
LikeLike
What fun you and the ape are having! 😀
I can see how they would be practical and helpful, too!
Do they come in any other colors?
HUGS!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
They’re so darn cute! I’ve seen them in other colours in Italy. We could have APE drag races, eh? ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
We saw small sedans, similar in size, parked at right angles to the curb…fitting snugly in between two other vehicles. We always thought the small car squeezed into between the others, effectively hemming in the sedans on either side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They have most unique parking methods over there. Everyone seems calm about it all, it seems.
LikeLike
What I wouldn’t give to see one of those on the German Autobahn 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the fast lane …
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s no speed limit there 🙂 That would be classic! And since road rage is illegal in Germany, they’d have to grin and bear it 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
With many of those polysyllabic words flying, no doubt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ausfahrt still makes me giggle – I’m an idiot 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, you are! 🙂 But, one of the nice kind of idiot-dom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, you’ll make me blush!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice pun, but would ‘when it’s a vespa’ work?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would, if it was a scooter, Derrick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re living the dream: seeing a cool thing and actually getting inside it! I love this thing and the color of it. I think we all need one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wouldn’t that be fun?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You betcha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a cute little ape!
Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was so well maintained, looked like new.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And your SMILE! I loved your smile in the cab of that little thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was living my dream!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a cool little vehicle. I’d have no trouble parking it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parallel parking? Phoof, no worries. We could just lift it into the available spot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, that would be very handy. I’d rather park ten miles away and walk than do a parallel park.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that the sad truth. I’m sure we could do it, if we were taught properly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably. Mr ET is a master parallel parker! I’m not game to have a go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire people who can do that. Mind you, they probably envy us for … well, I’m sure we’ll think of something.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll let you know when I come up with an idea. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could just about handle one of those…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wouldn’t it be fun? Hell’s Granny on wheels …
LikeLike
Stop it! You’re having way too much fun!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, that.
LikeLike
I want one too. The child in me also had to have a photo of me taken while sitting in one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oi! Are you calling me a child?!
LikeLike
Actually I was referring to me, but maybe you have also a child within ha ha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always glad to see you are alive and well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Jane. All is chugging along nicely here. How are you?
LikeLike
Eagerly awaiting your upcoming trip to Italy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes two of us, Jane. 🙂
LikeLike
I think you should have one, Yvonne. Or, maybe I should have one….although the streets of Seattle would not do well with the poor little thing chugging up the hills.
Anyway, you look great in it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I think it might be difficult to register one for street travel, at least here in Australia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably here too, although I have seen some mighty strange contraptions around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could use one around the ranch Seasons Greeting to all stuck here working
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe you’ll find one in your Christmas stocking, assuming you’ve been good all year.
PS I just realised this is from you, Joanne!
LikeLike
no I started year by being kidapped and its been downhill all year from there
dog dies, horse died, etc etc etc looking forward to year ending only can go onward and upward from here
LikeLike
I would love to have one to replace the motorcycle I always miss.
Rick
________________________________
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wouldn’t look out of place in your town, Rick.
LikeLike