Lambretta’s Back!

[Hugh Janus]

The scooter that started it all, the original Lambretta 125. Together with Vespa, these machines put Italy back in motion in the aftermath of World War II. (Lambretta/)

One year after Piaggio introduced its world-famous Vespa, Innocenti iron and machinery works in Milan, a manufacturer of steel tubing, entered the growing Italian scooter market. In 1947 Dr. Ferdinando Innocenti realized that an updated scooter concept might offer great opportunities to his firm, and ordered his technical staff to design a two-wheeled vehicle that, like the Vespa, could be mass produced at low cost.

The Innocenti staff found inspiration in the foldable motor scooters that American and British airborne units had used to get from landing zones to the line of combat during the war. Innocenti opted for a structure as simple as those military scooters, with a single downtube constituting the frame. The tube ran down from the steering head to support the floorboard, with attachments to locate and support the unitized engine/transmission power egg. A steel-tube subframe turned upward to support the seat, the fuel tank, and a small utility case.

The scooter was called the Lambretta, named after a mythical water sprite associated with the Lambro river, which ran close to the Milan suburb where Innocenti was located.

Lambretta vs. Vespa

Contrary to Vespa’s design, the Lambretta’s engine was not directly connected to the rear wheel, instead driving it motorcycle-style via a three-speed gearbox and a sealed oil-bath chain. Also like a motorcycle, the Lambretta’s engine/transmission unit was set along the scooter’s main longitudinal axis. This became a major factor in Lambretta’s fast-growing success: Lambretta owners mocked Vespa riders about their bikes’ off-center construction making them look like sailboats under a strong side wind. In turn, Vespa owners mocked their Lambretta counterparts about the poor reliability of their bikes’ gearbox. The joking and rivalry lasted for decades.

Like the first ATVs, the original Lambretta 125 M model had no suspension at either end, just a pair of doughnut-size tires fat enough to deal with the cobby Italian roads of the day. A major evolution occurred in 1950 when the Lambretta C introduced a trailing-link front suspension and torsion-bar suspension for the rear wheel. Now the single-downtube frame located the pivot point of the rear suspension and then turned upward to support the seat and the fuel tank, eliminating the previous twin-tube subframe.

Lambretta Evolves

While Vespa made a dogma of its iconic design and never strayed from it, Dr. Innocenti was more concerned about fashion. When time came to evolve the basic Lambretta concept he involved Italian designers in the project. In 1951 the new Lambretta LD hit the market and was an instant success. Featuring flowing lines, full coverage for the rider’s legs, and fully functional suspension at both ends, it came with both 125 and 150cc engines and offered an evolved four-speed transmission. Produced until the end of 1956, the LD defined a new, stronger image for Lambretta.

The Lambretta 125 F incorporated floorboards and legit suspension. Decked out with a passenger seat, spare wheel, and matching wheel cover, this example shows how important styling was, right from the start. (Lambretta/)

From there the Lambretta design kept developing, but maintained a strong connection with the LD model. In 1958 came the Lambretta LI with even more esthetic refinement as well as updated engines, notably the 150cc version, which was the bestseller of the series. The Lambretta LI Series 3 debuted in 1961 and represented Lambretta’s main styling evolution until the brand closed down in 1973.

In many respects, Lambretta always kept a technical lead over Vespa. In 1962, the Lambretta 175 TV Series 3 was the first scooter to adopt a front disc brake, a major evolutionary step. Remember, this is seven years before Honda’s CB750K0! The peak came in 1969 with the 200 SX/200 DL Electronic, which featured electronic ignition, disc brakes, and an 11 hp 200cc two-stroke single, the most powerful engine in a scooter at the time.

Innocenti Lambretta experienced a final crisis when small economy cars, like the Fiat 500, appeared on the market. Somehow Vespa survived this critical juncture, probably thanks to stronger styling, a more aggressive marketing policy, and an image that never changed. Lambretta tried to make its models appear more sophisticated, and famous Italian designers like Bertone were hired to constantly refine its line. In the end, though, that only added extra cost to the production, and low price was a major factor in the market of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Nothing says Italian like a red bike. The new G350 pays homage to Lambretta’s historic emphasis on fashion and design. Thoroughly modern, it also evokes the timeless scooter ethos. (Lambretta/)

Innocenti sold the production lines to the Indian government, which in turn created Scooters India Limited, or SIL, keeping the Lambretta name alive until 1998. The SIL model, called Lamby and GP150 for export, was a derivative of the Lambretta LI 150. Innocenti itself was sold to BMC (British Leyland) and shortly thereafter began production of the Mini (the original, designed by the legendary Sir Alec Issigonis) in Italy. The Italian market responded positively, and BMC planned huge investments to increase manufacturing capabilities.

But BMC didn’t fully understand that at the time Italy was, more than ever, Fiat turf. The Italian government accordingly blocked all projects. BMC Innocenti went bankrupt, and the assets were conveniently sold off to Alessandro de Tomaso, who just happened to have the right contacts within the government. Like all other de Tomaso-ruled firms, this new Innocenti was a joke and soon shut down for good. In the years following, the Innocenti and Lambretta brands bounced around from court to court in a swirl of legal fights. Finally, Walter Scheffrahn, a Dutch investor and longtime Lambretta enthusiast, was recognized as the legal owner of both, and he established the operative headquarters of Innocenti SA in Lugano, Switzerland. In 2017, Innocenti SA tiptoed into the scooter market with its new V-series models, the Lambretta V50cc, V125cc, and V200cc. These gained good success especially on the Far East markets.

Lambretta Today

This led to a partnership with Thailand’s Gaoking company. Which leads us to the present: Lambretta’s Lugano headquarters is home to the company’s R&D department under Scheffrahn’s personal control and leadership, with the Thai partners in charge of manufacturing.

Underneath their skins, both new Lambretta models feature modern design elements like electronic ignitions, antilock brakes, and as seen here on the G350 Special, secure, integrated storage. (Lambretta/)

Production started in 2017 with the V Model series, which ranges from 50cc to 200cc. The V200 can easily be identified as a Lambretta; the styling is clearly derived from the Lambretta LI, a genuine plus especially in the central- and south-Asian markets. The V200 is powered by an electric-start 12 hp four-stroke single equipped with a CVT transmission. The V200 comes with disc brakes front and rear, ABS, an LED headlight, and 12-inch wheels.

The initial positive market response, China included, spurred Innocenti SA to aim for the premium scooter segment. This has resulted in two new models which represent a major evolution of the whole Lambretta project. The Lambretta X300 and G350 Special were officially unveiled in Milan, in the Brera Art Gallery court, during Design Week there. Surprisingly, the two are styled differently, with the X300 departing from Lambretta’s traditionally fluid lines. On the contrary, the X300′s styling is squarish, characterized by straight profiles from the front fender to the leg shield to the main body.

Excellent fit and finish, disc brakes, an ABS sensor, tubeless tires, and a smart trailing-link front suspension that’s perfect for challenged pavement. The Lambrettas (the X300 shown here) take a grand old name and update it for an emerging market. (Lambretta/)

The new scooter appears well finished in every detail, from the hexagonal LED front light to the handlebar to the seat. The front suspension is a trailing-link unit with distinctive twin shock absorbers wrapped with chromed springs. The 12-inch cast-alloy wheels get tubeless tires, 120/70-12 front and 130/70-12 rear. Disc brakes with 220mm rotors are fitted at both ends, managed by Bosch ABS. The Lambretta X300 rolls on a 54-inch wheelbase and weighs a rather substantial 364 pounds dry.

On the other hand, the Lambretta G350 Special represents styling continuity with the original LI models. The main body section describes a gentle arch with a very moderate rib running just above the centerline. The front shield is a total homage to the Lambrettas of yore, as is the front fender. The fender’s mounting is a little controversial, because it leaves a large section of the suspension units exposed. The finish is excellent. In terms of details, the G350 Special comes fully equipped with LED headlight, 240mm disc brakes front and rear, likewise managed by a twin-channel Bosch ABS system. The Lambretta G350 Special weighs 382 pounds with a 55-inch wheelbase.

The chassis structure of both models feature a large-diameter main tubular element with integrated steel panels forming the front shield and the floorboard, creating a very solid structure, necessary to cope with the extra loads generated by riding on typical Asian roads.

A grand Italian brand fuses with modern Asian manufacturing. (Lambretta/)

The engine is a liquid-cooled four-valve single developed in two displacements by Chinese manufacturer GPX. The X300 uses the base unit, its 275cc actual displacement derived from a 75mm bore and 62.3mm stroke. Innocenti SA claims 24.8 peak horsepower at 8,250 rpm with 18 pound-feet of torque at 6,250 rpm. The G350 Special’s engine displaces an actual 330cc from a bore increase to 82mm, while stroke is unaltered at 62.3mm. For the G350 Special, Innocenti SA advertises 25.8 hp at 7,500 rpm and 18.8 pound-feet of torque at 6,250 rpm.

Innocenta SA has requested that Bosch develop an ECU that would make the two units Euro 5 homologated. While the V-class Lambretta models were conceived for the Asian markets, the new X300 and G350 Special will try to reestablish the brand in the European. Innocenti will then turn its attention to the United States. Although production in Thailand will start around the end of 2022, tentative prices have already been announced: 5,900 euros for X300, and 7,200 euros for G350 Special.

Old world meets Brave New World. The new Lambretta X300 parked in downtown Milan, home of the original Lambretta 75 years ago. (Lambretta/)

Source

[Buckster]

Gay.

[XTreme]

What you say Mawsley?

[boboneleg]

I would (the one on the right )

[Catteeclan]

17 minutes ago, boboneleg said:

I would (the one on the right )

Steady Bob, it could be packing.

[Pedro]

After so long, and they'll still going to make them ugly. The real seller would be a replica of the first model, with he exposed everything. Take this with a modern engine, add some stupid tires and all hipsters will want one

[boboneleg]

1 hour ago, Catteeclan said:

Steady Bob, it could be packing.

Your right, I didn't think about that

[boboneleg]

45 minutes ago, Pedro said:

After so long, and they'll still going to make them ugly. The real seller would be a replica of the first model, with he exposed everything. Take this with a modern engine, add some stupid tires and all hipsters will want one

It's been done for a while, the Honda Zoomer/Rukus........................

 

[Pedro]

25 minutes ago, boboneleg said:

It's been done for a while, the Honda Zoomer/Rukus........................

 

 

Yes, but if done from an Italian company, or using an Italian name, it'll not be so shit and people will think it's cool and European.

[Buckster]

6 hours ago, Catteeclan said:

Steady Bob, it could be packing.

He expects more limbs than he has anyway.