Five Years of Rusty Helmets, 80 Years of Vespa, and a Very Special Year
Our anniversary year, 2026, will remain in our memories for a long time to come. Five years ago, the Rusty Helmets started out as a small group of Vespa enthusiasts. Today, that group has grown into a community of people who share our passion, ride together, and make our events truly special.
One of the highlights was our big Vespa meetup at Schiffenberg Abbey in Gießen in early August. Around 300 Vespas gathered, turning the day into a true celebration of the Vespa. Participants from the region, as well as from Belgium and the Netherlands, were there.
For us as a club, it was especially wonderful to see how many people support our work. And that includes Scooter Center, which has been with us since 2025.
A very special thank you therefore goes out to you for supporting our anniversary gathering. The merchandise you provided was a huge hit with our participants. You could really see how happy everyone was when the gym bags and keychains were handed out to the participants. For many, these items are more than just merchandise—they become a memento of a wonderful day and of our shared passion for the Vespa.
Especially during a raffle, you quickly realize just how much such in-kind donations are appreciated. Participants are not only excited about the chance to win something, but also about the fact that well-known and respected companies from the Vespa scene are supporting our event.
And 2026 was a very special Vespa year for us anyway. Just two weeks after our anniversary celebration at Schiffenberg Abbey, we had the privilege of appearing on ZDF’s “Fernsehgarten” with the Rusty Helmets. There, the Vespa’s 80th anniversary was celebrated—a completely new and unforgettable experience for us.
From a small gathering with six friends in 2021 to the big “Fernsehgarten” stage—sometimes it’s hard to believe how far the Rusty Helmets have come in these five years.
But one thing has always remained the same: our passion for the Vespa and the people it brings together.
That’s exactly what our events are all about. It’s not just about beautiful scooters, but about shared experiences, friendships, conversations about bikes, rides, and inspiring others to fall in love with the Vespa.
That’s why it means so much to us that companies like Scooter Center support us on this journey.
Thank you so much for your connection to the Vespa scene and for helping to make our fifth anniversary such a special day.
We look forward to many more kilometers together!
Your Rusty Helmets!
Report: Paolo Santamaria
Photos: Carla Spahn, Marco Demel, Paolo Santamaria
DE | €
