Last year, a new generation of kids discovered a classic vehicle that’s been synonymous with two-wheeled fun for decades: the Vespa 125.
The unlikely commercial for the Italian scooter arrived on Disney+ as families pressed play on Disney and Pixar’s Luca, the story of a young sea monster that could become human on land. More than a MacGuffin, Vespa scooters were central to the plot and an obsession for Luca and his friends.
The Vespa 125 originally hit the scene in the late 1940s, but became a staple of 1960s culture, and pastel blue — an original production color — was a popular variation as riders sought to hit the streets and live “La Dolce Vita” (the sweet life).
Now, in a bit of serendipitous timing, families can build their own Vespa 125 with a new, 1,106-piece LEGO set. While it’s considered a part of LEGO’s “adult builder” collection for ages 18 and up, this sweet ride is a project that can be tackled by tweens, teens, or families working together with a little patience. The payoff is worth it.
This set includes a beautiful, 146-page instruction guide that opens with a fantastic, 6-page history lesson featuring archival photos and details on the legacy of Vespa spanning the past 75 years. It also includes insight from the LEGO design team that was tasked with bringing the real-life ride into brick form.
Builders can follow along through detailed instructions that spread the build across the six included bags of parts. I find that the numbered bags make great spots to pause your build if you plan to spread it out throughout several days instead of doing a marathon build over the course of several hours.
The end result is a model that thoughtfully captures the authentic features of the Vespa 125. It features two wheels with whitewall tires, a functioning kickstand, and working steering. But this isn’t all for exterior show. Builds can open the removable engine cover to reveal a brick-built engine inside.
While the details on the scooter, including the original Vespa logo and a 1960s-era Italian license plate, are awesome, it’s the extra flourishes — like a helmet with goggles and an accessories basket complete with a bouquet of LEGO flowers — that really finish this build with style.
Overall, the LEGO Vespa 125 is a build that will make you long for the freedom of the open road while resulting in an incredible display piece. As with many of LEGO’s recent sets geared toward older builders, it will look fantastic on display in your home or office, on its own, or as part of a larger collection.
