- Vespa 400
Infobox Automobile
name = Vespa 400
manufacturer = ACMA
parent_company =Piaggio
production =1958-1961
assembly =Fourchambault ,France
class =microcar
body_style =2-doorcoupé Lusso
body_style =2-doorCabrio coach Turismo
layout =RR layout
engine =393 cc, 2-cylinder, Two-stroke
transmission =3-speed manual
wheelbase = Auto mm|1693|1
length = Auto mm|2850|1
height = Auto in|50|0
width = Auto mm|1100|1
weight = Auto kg|375|0
fuel_capacity = 23 l (6 US gal) (5 imp. gal)The Vespa 400 is a rear-engined
microcar , produced by ACMA (Ateliers de Constructions de Motos et Accessoires) inFourchambault ,France , from 1958 to 1961 to the designs of the ItalianPiaggio company. Two different versions were sold, "Lusso" and "Turismo".The car is basically a two seater with room behind the seats to accommodate two small children on an optional cushion or luggage. The front seats are simple tubular metal frames with cloth upholstery on elastic "springs" and between the seats is the handbrake, starter and choke. The gear change is centrally floor mounted. The rear hinged doors have, on the inside, only a plastic lining on the metal skin allowing for valuable extra internal space. Instrumentation is very basic with only a speedometer and warning lights for low fuel, main beam, dynamo charging and indicators. The cabriolet fabric roof can be rolled back from the windscreen header rail to the top of the rear engine cover leaving conventional metal sides above the doors. The 12 volt battery is located at the front of the car on a shelf that can be slid out and the spare wheel is in a well under the passenger seat.
pecifications
;Engine: Two cylinder, two stroke, air cooled. Bore, stroke: 63 mm x 63 mm (393 cc). . Two stroke oil held in separate reservoir in the engine bay;Compression ratio: 6.4 to 1 with 12 horsepower.
;Suspension: Four wheel independent. Four double acting hydraulic shock absorbers with coil springs. Front anti-roll bar.;Transmission: 3 speed, with 2nd, 3rd and reverse synchromesh. 4 speed available in non-U.S. markets. ;Brakes: Hydraulically operated drums of Auto in|6.75|0 diameter.
;Performance: With only 18 hp (13 kW), top speed is 50 to 55 mph (80 to 90 km/h), depending on road grade, wind conditions, etc. Achieving top speed takes a leisurely 25 seconds. Fuel economy is about 5L/100KM.
The British "Motor" magazine tested a 400 de luxe saloon in 1959 recording a top speed of convert|51.8|mph|km/h|abbr=on and acceleration from 0-convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 23.0 seconds and a fuel consumption of convert|55.3|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus. The test car cost 351,725 French Francs. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Vespa 400 de luxe| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = April 15 1959]
References
External links
* [http://www.ma-vespa-400.com/index.php/ My Vespa 400] , Comprehensive French language site
* [http://www.vesparestauro.it/index.php?module=htmlp&func=display&pid=19/ Vespa Restaurant] , Italian language site with information about the 400
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