1967 Vespa Alpha (Dick Smart, Agent 2.007)

The Vespa Alpha, built in 1967, is one of the most extraordinary and imaginative scooters ever created. It achieved cult status thanks to its role in the spy film Dick Smart, Agent 2.007, starring Richard Wyler, Margaret Lee, and Rosanna Tapados. Far from being just a stylish scooter, the Vespa Alpha was designed to perform an astonishing range of feats: it could race down roads, take off like an autogyro, skim across water, and even dive beneath the surface like a miniature submarine.

This incredible movie machine was based on the Vespa 180 Super Sport, itself derived from the Vespa 125 VMA1. Piaggio collaborated with the British firm Alpha Willis to engineer the special effects scooter specifically for the film. The modifications were extensive but cleverly concealed within the frame of a classic Vespa, helping maintain the iconic silhouette while adding a touch of cinematic magic.

Mechanically, the Vespa Alpha featured a 2-stroke single-cylinder engine with a displacement of 181.145 cc, giving it a top speed of around 105 km/h. Its suspension system used coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers at both ends, while drum brakes handled stopping duties. Though only one example was ever made, its imaginative design and cultural impact have secured it a permanent place in scooter history.

Today, this one-of-a-kind machine can be admired at the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, Italy, where it serves as a whimsical reminder of the golden age of cinema and the creative possibilities of Vespa engineering. The Vespa Alpha remains a true legend—a scooter that captured the spirit of 1960s spy fantasy and brought it to life on screen.