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Ape 50
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:11 am
by jcslocum
I would love to get an Ape ( ahh-pay) 50 for use around the local area. How much do used Ape's sell for in Italy??
I would guess that to bring it into the USA it would have to be from the 1970's. Are they registered as a motorcycle or car in Italy (Europe??)
http://www.piaggio-ape.co.uk/apecrosscountry.htm
I wonder how much it would cost to ship to the USA??
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:22 pm
by paso750
in Germany the "Ahh-peh" 50 are registrered as moped, while the APE TM are registered as light truck.
I guess in the states it would be a motorcycle or a kit-car.
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:37 pm
by ducapaso
jcslocum wrote:How much do used Ape's sell for in Italy??
I wonder how much it would cost to ship to the USA??
Used Ape 50 can be sold at any price, it depends on the conditions... you can go searching on ebay for italian market.
Shipping will be surely too mutch!!!

Re: Ape 50
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:20 pm
by jcslocum
Nicola,
Is it possible to buy a good running Ape 50 for 1000 Euro in your area?? I do not mid doing some resoration on this just need to make sure it's running and complete.
I am investigating shipping. It's small and doesn't weigh too much. I shall see.
Is the Ape considered a moped/motorcycle in Italy??
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:39 pm
by higgy
Jon,
Most likely you are going to run into EPA import restrictions.If it ain't EPA legal it will get impounded and crushed at the port. Why not get a Japanese mini truck, they are little by little becoming legal in most states and you won't have to import it yourself as there are more and more dealers all the time. My company is getting set up to do the EPA certification now for a few of the importers
Check them out. Most are 650 4 bangers and even come with heat (even AC on some)

Re: Ape 50
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 5:29 am
by ducapaso
jcslocum wrote:Nicola,
Is it possible to buy a good running Ape 50 for 1000 Euro in your area?? I do not mid doing some resoration on this just need to make sure it's running and complete.
I am investigating shipping. It's small and doesn't weigh too much. I shall see.
Is the Ape considered a moped/motorcycle in Italy??
Ape 50 requires the same driving licence than any other 50 scooter, 14 aged boys can drive it or ride them;
These are two auctions on ebay by now:
http://cgi.ebay.it/Moto-Scooter-Mini-Mo ... 286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.it/Moto-Scooter-Mini-Mo ... 286.c0.m14
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:56 am
by jcslocum
higgy wrote:Jon,
Most likely you are going to run into EPA import restrictions.If it ain't EPA legal it will get impounded and crushed at the port. Why not get a Japanese mini truck, they are little by little becoming legal in most states and you won't have to import it yourself as there are more and more dealers all the time. My company is getting set up to do the EPA certification now for a few of the importers
Check them out. Most are 650 4 bangers and even come with heat (even AC on some)
Higgy,
We have them in the area and they look really cool.
I'm going to pursue the Ape and see where it goes. I'm thinking that the older versions won't require EPA certification as it will be an older model from the 70's and it's a motorcycle that may slide in under the rules. We'll see....
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 2:42 pm
by paso750
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:12 pm
by higgy
Best of luck to you, reminds me of the old USPS mail trucks they used in the inner city and rural routes back in the 60 and early 70's
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:17 pm
by persempre907
Very, very nice that Tuk Tuk.
Looks like those 1950's Apes which are still used somewhere in Italy.
Ciao

Re: Ape 50
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:56 pm
by jcslocum
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:26 am
by persempre907
The auction says it's not working. It has original and good papers (1989), electric starter but, above all, it's rusty even if it would have no hole. Inside is good, too.
The seller says when he bought it, last year, it used to work, but, after the winter doesn't start.
It's 50 cm3 so in Italy is like a moped.
If you want to know something more, I could ask it to the seller, but he doesn't want to ship it.
Ciao
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:53 pm
by jcslocum
It may be too new to bring to the USA. I'm still trying to define this part of the task.
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:22 pm
by higgy
import rules are here Jon
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/
It also lists org's that can help
Re: Ape 50
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:32 am
by paso750
if it has to be really old, how about a Moto Guzzi Ercole (Hercules)? But of course it`s more like a bike or minitruck.
http://www.lanciaflavia.it/annunci/dett ... b_id=84236
existed with or w/o cabin. I love the bottom one !
edit: just read that it`s a 500cc so it`s probably way too big compared to an Ape.