via Italy Magazine:
This summer has seen the release of numerous retro-inspired cars and scooters, the most celebrated of which was Fiat’s reinvention of the Fiat 500.
Now Piaggio is getting into the act with the release of a retro-inspired Vespa. The new Vespa S, with its rectangular headlamp, trimmed down mudguard and racy-looking back light, is designed to appeal to Italian youths who have heard about the famous 50 Special model from parents or grandparents.
The Vespa 50 special first appeared in 1969 and rapidly became a favorite because it was light, sporty and seemed to represent the freedom of youth. Original models are still highly sought after and the bike’s cult status was confirmed a few years ago when teen band Lunapop sang its praises in their smash hit ‘50 Special’.
The scooter’s modern version comes in 50cc and 125cc versions and will sell respectively for 2,500 and 3,200 euros.
When it comes to religion, Rome is the mothership, the epicenter of the Catholic Church since the Protestant Reformation in 1517, and prior to that the center of western Christianity. There’s a church on every street corner (though we’re convinced that they’re outnumbered, if only slightly, but the vast collection of lingerie stores), priests and nuns stroll the streets, and it’s not uncommon to see a cardinal strolling across Piazza San Pietro or tucking in for a long lunch at a little trattoria.
Over the course of the past few years, pious pilgrims (along with less devout visitors) to the Eternal City have been eagerly snapping up a new souvenir that allows them to take a bit of the city’s religious scenery home with them. A calendar created by photographer and Venetian gondolier Piero Pazzi (crazy Peter? That can’t be a real name!) features 12 artful images of what appear to be pretty priests. The word on the street suggests that the cute clerics posing in front of Roman religious monuments are really models, though rumor also suggests that one of the pin-ups is actually a priest.
The Calendario Romano can be purchased at almost any souvenir stand in Rome’s City Center. Piero Pazzi’s website lists worldwide distributors and offers promotions for bulk purchases though he doesn’t seem to accept credit card payment, while this website in Great Britian does accept credit cards and makes a contribution to the Food Chain for every calendar purchased. As well, the 2008 calendar has been published by Universe Publishing in the United States.
