Vespa's Microcar from the 1950s was just as adorable as its scooters.

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      Let’s be honest: cute is always going to be cute. A mini version of the Mini exists, so it makes sense that there would be an even cuter Vespa. This time, there’s no involvement from chop shops; instead, this adorable Vespa has four wheels and hails from France.

      As reported by Below the Radar, the manufacturer now recognized for scooters also produced a small transporter between 1957 and 1961. Featuring a 393cc two-stroke two-cylinder engine located at the rear, the Vespa 400 was more compact than its Fiat and Mini counterparts.

      At just 113 inches in length, the Vespa 400 was five inches shorter than the Fiat 500, which launched the same year, and was eight inches shorter than the Mini Cooper, which would debut in 1959. It boasted 14 horsepower and could reach a top speed of about 50 mph. With a three-speed manual transmission, it took a leisurely 23 seconds to accelerate from zero to 40 mph.

      Taking up less than 9.5 feet of road space, it understandably had room for only two passengers. Despite its rear engine, the Vespa 400 lacked a front trunk space; instead, that area was where passengers would place their feet. Vespa made sure to utilize every bit of space within the already compact 400.

      Accessing the vehicle was made simple with rear-hinged doors. Need to carry luggage? There was a small storage area behind the two seats for that. Have a child? A small cushion could be placed between the seats to create a temporary bench. More than one child? Well, you might have chosen the wrong vehicle.

      Reportedly, the Vespa 400 was produced in a factory located in Fourchambault, France, capitalizing on the market's growing interest in microcars. This may have also been a strategy to counter Fiat's plans to introduce a competing cute scooter.

      Setting aside Italian rivalries, the Vespa 400 initially sold over 12,000 units, but sales declined in the subsequent years. Primarily designed for left-hand drive, this microcar was distributed across Europe, with around 1,700 units making their way to the United States. When the Vespa 400 was eventually brought to the UK, a contemporary vehicle review had positive things to say.

      “Thanks to its well-sprung seats, the ride comfort is exceptionally good for such a small car…There is little to differentiate the Vespa from a regular family car, aside from its size,” noted The Motor, as quoted by Below the Radar. The 1959 Vespa 400 was priced at 351,725 French francs or 255 British pounds.

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      Sadly, not many of these models remain, but shiny examples can still be found, like the one currently listed on Bring a Trailer that brought this car back into the spotlight today. This little red vehicle, with a matching red and tan patterned interior, has been an Arizona resident since the late 1960s and was refurbished in 2015. The speedometer has been changed, so the exact mileage is unclear, but it’s undeniable that the Vespa 400 is incredibly cute with its 10-inch polished steel wheels.

      Offered with no reserve. The vehicle was purchased less than a year ago for $21,023. However, with only a day remaining, the highest bid currently sits at just $9,000.

      Are there any other small cars from scooter manufacturers that we should know about? Reach out to us at [email protected].