Tiny but Mighty: 1961 Vespa 400 Microcar Hits DFW Museum

A rare gem of automotive history is on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas: the 1961 Vespa 400 in baby blue. This microcar, part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, represents Piaggio's ambitious leap from scooters to compact cars during the microcar movement of the 1950s and 60s. Designed by Italian manufacturer Piaggio and built in France by ACMA, the Vespa 400 was produced between 1957 and 1961, with roughly 30,000 units made. This particular example was imported from France in 2014 after a full refurbishment and retains its period-correct character with thoughtful upgrades.

Under the hood, the Vespa 400 features an air-cooled 400cc two-stroke Piaggio twin-cylinder engine producing 14 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. Despite its small size—just over nine feet long—the car boasts independent coil-over suspension at all four corners and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Distinctive details include rear-hinged doors, a louvered decklid, sliding windows, 10-inch steel wheels, and a pull-out drawer housing the 12-volt battery in the front. The minimalist interior features a two-spoke steering wheel and a Veglia 110-km/h speedometer flanked by simple warning lights, with a spare tire cleverly stowed beneath the passenger seat.

Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, notes: 'What I love about the Vespa 400 is that it's unapologetically small, but it still feels like a complete car.' The museum, now located in North Fort Worth, offers free admission and parking, and is dog-friendly. For more information, visit dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.