This would make a nice little addition to your LD or D Lambretta… An original NOS (New Old Stock) Fuel Gauge. It’s in fantastic condition and even comes in its original box – a thing of beauty in its own right. Available on eBay, here.
Pub prices too expensive? Bar too far to stumble to? The Lambretta Cambretta Trailer is a “must for every scooter rally, man cave, enthusiast etc”
It’s a totally unique hand-built “party trailer”, based on a jet ski trailer, which can be towed by a Lambretta. It’s got working electrics, including indicators, and a fully functioning bar, lights, stereo witch run off the mains or a 12v battery.
Certain to make you popular at the next scooter rally, if you fill the optics up!
It’s on eBay, here
As it’s St. Andrew’s day!
Spotted this rare 2 seater chain driven pedal scooter, possibly made by MG of France.
This has clearly been modelled on a Lambretta – looks like a Series 2. These toys were crudely made and would never reach today’s safety standards, so this is a display piece only, not for pedalling!
Ride of Respect 21st October 2018
And they just kept coming… What a turn out!
It was a misty start to the day, but the sun soon started to shine for the hundreds of scooters that met at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum in Whittington to ride on mass to the National Memorial Arboretum, Tamworth. The Army of scooters, led by Paul Marshall (WSA Chairman) took a scenic route marshalled with precision to the NMA, and what a tremendous sight to behold. It is estimated that around 900 scooters attended, more than double of last year. Many, proudly displaying their ride of respect leg shields, flags etc.
The ceremony at the wall was very moving, led by David Whittall from the British Christian Scooterists Association and Andi Poole from AONSC and WSA. The sound of the last post played by Antonio Socci bounced off the walls giving people time to reflect on those who have lost their lives in past and present conflicts. Wreaths were then laid by various scooter clubs in deafening silence.
Monies raised from the sale of patches, leg shields and collection buckets will be given to the National Memorial Arboretum, The Staffordshire Regiment Museum and Galanos House.
Paul Marshall, who is the chairman of The Warwickshire Scooter Alliance would like to say a massive thank you to the NMA, The Staffordshire Regiment Museum, the WSA committee, the marshalls… you know who you are, and of course everyone that attended and made it such a huge success.
Thanks to Lynda from the Warwickshire Scooter Alliance for sending me the above article.
You can find out more on the The Warwickshire Alliance website. www.twsa.co.uk
I spotted* a couple of cool new electric bikes – and thought they were more than worthy of an airing on the blog. Though each is a quirky, original design in it’s own right, I’m old enough to know the adage “There’s nothing new under the Sun” has an element of truth to it – and both these bikes reminded me of older designs.
The first is the “Pocket Rocket” it’s unusual form earning it a German Design Award. Designed by Manuel Messmer and engineered by SOL Motors, the Pocket Rocket is clean and compact. The thick tubular column on the top becomes a perfect surface to sit on, once you’ve got a saddle in place, and right at both ends, you’ve got the headlight and taillight. The product is currently in its conceptual stages and the specifications haven’t been made public yet. If and when they do, I’ll let you know.
While a beautifully simple and original concept, it reminded me of a little known Lambretta from years ago – The Rosella, pictured below, and featured on the blog here.
Find out more about it on the SOL Motors website.
The second featured bike is equally – if not more so – quirky. It’s called the Motochimp – a cheeky name, for a really cheeky looking bike. This bike has so much personality, it looks like it’s a character from a Pixar film.
This quote from their website (motochimp.com) gives you an idea of the ethos of Motochimp…
“Motochimp celebrates the indie spirit of spontaneous urban mobility. Freeing urban transport from boredom, replacing it with spontaneity and personality. Join us and we’ll defy boredom and faceless urban transport. Let’s embark on joy rides that catch a twinkle or two… Let’s Ride on the Lighter Side of Life”.
The video on FullyCharged sums up the bike features nicely. Favourite feature? Well, I’m torn between the way the battery just slides out – and those funky, minimalist bar-end indicators.
As Johnny Smith notes in the video, the Motochimp is very reminiscent of Honda’s Motocompo portable minibike from the ’80s – now a very collectable little bike in its own right – and one probably deserving of a Lambrettista blog post.
Which gives me the excuse to share this Madness Honda City/Motocompo ad…
*Well, my mate Luke spotted them to be fair. And sent me the links. Credit where it’s due!
I’ve made no secret of the fact that despite my love for the 2stroke engine, I think EV is the way forward. And I like a threewheeler – especially the microcars from the fifties that were basically three wheeled scooters – or “Cabin Scooters” as the Germans put it! The Nobe 100 electric trike has that ’50 retro microcar vibe, but also feels futuristic. With an aesthetic that’s definitely classic and an outlook that’s modern, eco-friendly, and downright clever, the Nobe 100 is made from 100% reusable or recyclable parts, produces no air pollution, houses upgradable technology to enhance vehicle longevity, and accommodates three people while taking up less road space than a regular car.
The mind behind the Nobe 100 is Roman Muljar. Roman looked toward the talent within his country of Estonia to create a three-wheeled car with all the makings of a classic 4-wheeler, but the visual quirks and benefits of a trike.
With a top speed of 68 mph and a range of 137 miles on a full charge, the Nobe 100 charges completely within two hours and even comes with an additional battery.
I find the design of the Nobe remarkably assured and elegant – and kind of Italian looking – it puts me in mind of 1960’s Lancias – or maybe the Volvo P1800 – and love that ‘boat’ tail!
I hope this comes to fruitition – I was disapointed that the Messerchmitt inspired Smite never made it into production. Fingers crossed!
Originally found via Yanko Design. On the Cowdfunding site fundedbyme.
Find out more on the Nobe website; mynobe.com.
Picked up a copy of this yesterday… looks an interesting read – a full review will follow. It’s available on Amazon here.
Check out my Reading list.
I don’t often post about music on here. But occasionally something or somebody comes along that I have to share… And you need to check out this Band. I was lucky enough to catch Durand Jones & The Indications last night, in a great venue – The Waiting Room – a tiny room beneath a pub in Stoke Newington (can’t remember the last time I paid £6 for a gig either – bargain of the century!).
They blew me away. Durand Jones’s vocal is up there with all the great soul singers I love – on occasions, it was as if he was channelling Donny Hathaway, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding – and these are not names I bandy about lightly. He’s really that good. He’s got a great, authentic delivery, and you really felt he was experiencing the essence of every song.
The band were tight – really tight – working as a unit – the drummer was an absolute machine. The rhythm section reminded me of Muscle Shoals’ finest – and the horns – tenor sax and trumpet – were Stax like in their attack – but mellow and gentle when they needed to be. There were shades of King Curtis as well – really nice stuff. Under it all was some beautiful floaty, hammond style keys.
The Indications have more than one great singer in the band – When the drummer Aaron Frazer guested on the lead vocals (Check out “Is It Any Wonder” below) it was incredible – think Sam Cooke meets Smokey Robinson – and as Durand himself said “The voice of an angel – how do I follow that?” he DID though!
It’s hard to say enough good things about this band… I’ve seen a LOT of bands at a lot of gigs over the years. I’m not into comparisons and superlatives – BUT I reckon this is the BEST band I’ve seen, and the BEST gig I’ve been to.
If you get the chance – do yourself a favour – and go and see these guys. Buy their records. They’re the real deal.
In another first for the Lambrettista Blog – here’s the first – leaked* videos of the New ELECTRIC Lambretta Vendetta!
It seems that Lambretta have teamed up with electric scooter pioneers (and Red Dot Design Award winners) NIU – There’s not a lot of data to share at the moment – although it’s rumoured that Token Hu – Vice president of NIU (and formerly of Frog Design and Microsoft) is heading up the project personally. I expect that as much as an electric powertrain they will be bringing their innovative Smart technology to the project.
I’ve posted a few times about electric vehicles (EV) on the blog before – and firmly believe they are the future of transportation – on two wheels or more. So, what you see here is truly the next generation of Lambretta – a brand that is going to be as relevant and innovative in the 21st century as the 20th. Exciting times!
This is the next step in the evolution of the Lambretta. Remember where you saw it first! Stay tuned, and I’ll share more information when I can.
*Feel free to share – but please don’t ask where I got these videos – I have to protect my sources!
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