Hard Times

Life has not been good to this Ape car in the last three years...This is how I caught the same vehicle, in a far better shape and line of work, in May 2009.

See also: Sidewalk Parking - The Ape and the Palm Tree - Combat Ape

Versione italiana

Egyptian Walk

Glass goblets at the Sunday market, in “Piazza Cavour”.The Jolly Roger flag hanging from a window in “Via dell'Origine”.Strange and colorful objects in “Via Magenta”.In “Via Pietro Gori”, you may knock like an Egyptian...An Ape car parked in front of matching shutters and door.

More Walks

Versione italiana

Scali Saffi

“Scali Saffi”, a green on green composition at the front gate of the “Mercato Centrale”.An abandoned Ape, the grass had time to grow around the wheels.A typical “portone” (front door), the ring on the right side opens a smaller service door.

See also: Secret Doors - Combat Ape

Versione italiana

Combat Ape

I am not yet sure if it is a good idea to post this. Here is the still unmarked trial version of the combat-Ape, practically a self-propelled, three-wheeled, low cost missile launcher.It is cunningly disguised as a leisure vehicle for fishermen, but the aggressive silhouette and the military green livery, clearly tell another story.

Versione italiana

The Ape and the Palm Tree

Improvised pit stop in “Via delle Sorgenti” (Springs Street) for this resourceful “Ape” driver: he pushed the car up on a side and stuck a piece of wood there, to keep it up. Not so safe, but workable...No more time to sit in the shadow of a palm tree, the grass is drenched and there is no more sun to worry about.

Not a Martian

My friend Stefano first saw this vehicle, and we have tried to catch it for a long time. So when another friend, Paolo, called me on Saturday to tell me that it was parked in “Via Grande”, I rushed out with my faithful camera.This is how a mason-plumber advertises his work, literally putting it on display on his tiled and plastered “Ape” with a chimney. He has gone a long way to personalize his vehicle, but his rear view mirror keeps reminding me of something in my shower.You can see a complete kitchen sink on the right side of the “Ape”. A wall of pictures representing works done by its owner graces the other side of the vehicle and its back.Still on the back you have a complete wood oven, hence the chimney, with some spare logs neatly stored and a couple of drawers. The large and verbose sign says: I am not a martian but a normal mason who loves his work and much enjoys it. I like rustic but can do anything...

Sidewalk Parking

Please don't ask me what kind of car is this four-wheel bathtub, in fact I'd like to know it myself. Here everybody parks everything almost everywhere but, if he has choice, on the sidewalk is better. Against any parking law.In Livorno you can easily spot an SUV towering on a narrow traffic island at the intersection of two streets, impeding view and passage.Even if it is quite difficult to climb a curb with a “Piaggio Ape”, they simply can't resist...