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??

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.

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??

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)

http://www.autoscout24.it/List.aspx?vis ... vmd0=19086

or you could look for a TukTuk from India
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/tuk- ... approval/4

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

Very, very nice that Tuk Tuk.
Looks like those 1950's Apes which are still used somewhere in Italy.
Ciao

Anyone want to take a look at this one for me??

http://cgi.ebay.it/PIAGGIO-APE-50-LIBRE ... 3a53be4d22

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

It may be too new to bring to the USA. I'm still trying to define this part of the task.

import rules are here Jon

It also lists org's that can help

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.