This article from March last year published in the Financial Times, talks about the rising prices of vintage Lambrettas and Vespas – Nice to see DIsco Dez, The Awfully Pleasant Scooter Association and Dean Orton, and The Rimini Lambretta Centre all get a mention!
Just back from a flying visit to the spiritual home of the Lambretta – Milano – and to be honest – I’m pretty zonked. So my full post on the event – which was magnificent – will have to be saved for another day. But I wanted to post some pics and information of the new machines from Lambretta that were unveiled yesterday. This is just a quick snapshot – with full details – and lots more images – of the scooters coming soon.
First previewed back in 2019 at EICMA, The G350 (then designated the G325) was intended to sit at the top of the range, which then was just the 3 V Specials – in V50, V125 and V200 configurations. The G325 was originally due to be on the market by now – but then we had “the spanner in the works” that was Covid. It now looks like Lambretta will reach full production of the machine – now upgraded to a 350cc power unit by the end of this year. Long term readers of the blog might rember I predicted the 350 capacity back in July last year… just saying. Though clearly a modern machine, designed for today, there are clear styling cues in common with classic Lambretta models… full details will follow soon.
So, we’d had the the G350 previewed… but the real suprise in Milan yestereday was a completley new model, the X300. This is the start of a completely new model line for Lambretta. Another high-end, steel monocoque machine – but with even more radical styling than the G350. Now, voices of dissent are going to come from the radical traditionalist voices of the Lambretta community – but we are living in 2022 – not 1963! Again, a full report, with my full impressions of the machine to follow – but my first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. A stunning machine, which looks great from lots of different angles… and the quality of the fit and finish is immediately obvious.
Lots more coming soon. Stay tuned.
So – I’m probably going to get in trouble for this – but hey-ho… I’ve got a trusted “source” at Lambretta, and they’ve shared this image of the new forthcoming Lambretta model – tentatively called the “G-Special” for now – that will be in full production early next year.
Pictured is the the final prototype frame for the G350 concept previously shown at EICMA 2019 as G325. It’s a solid steel “full-monocoque” frame/chassis – with – in the classic Lambretta tradition – fully removable steel side panels – (side panels not shown in this pic). Now, I know certain Lambrettisti that may criticize the monocoque approach – but its an approach Lambretta have used in previously – so there’s nothing inherently ‘non-Lambretta’ about a monocoque! The current V-Special has a semi-monocoque frame.
Clearly, a lot of thought and effort has gone into designing a ‘best of class’ modern scooter that still has Lambretta DNA. Lambretta are being very close-lipped about engine sizes – and after showing the G325 model at EICMA; 325cc was the expected capacity – but my source tells me the model is referred to internally as the “G350” – so I’m sure you can draw your own conclusions! A 350 from Lambretta would be a real beast – and bring Lambretta right back into dominance in the “Classic Modern Scooter” category… and who doesn’t want to see Lambretta back on top where they belong! It’s not all about speed and power though – there are also plans for a fully high-powered electric version of the G-Special in the pipeline.
Interesting times, and good to see that the Lambretta brand is still innovating well into the the 2020’s – with ambitious plans to take their scooters to the next level!
I’m sure many of you will have heard of the tragic passing, in truly shocking circumstances, of Lambretta enthusiast Tik Tester. Tik leaves behind a young family. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help them out at this awful time. All funds will go directly to them.
Here’s the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-our-brothers-family-at-this-sad-time
Here’s the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-our-brothers-family-at-this-sad-time
I got down to the Retrospective Scooters open day at their workshop/showroom in Walthamstow – London E17. The event was well attended with some nice Vespas, Lambrettas and even a Heinkel Trojan in attendance.
The theme of the day was ‘beating the (forthcoming) Ultra Low Emission Zone’ and there were lots of Electric scooters on display, both from the world leader in electric scooters, NUI, and with a couple of classic demonstrators – a Vespa and a Lambretta, both converted by Retrospective to run clean and green on electricity.
Both machines look very assured, and ‘sit’ like the classic scooters they are. Retrospective had a range of Royal Alloy scooters in attendance too… a modern auto clearly modelled on the classic GP (by way of the Scomadi of course), but The Electric GP next to them looked just like any other classic Lammy.
So what does an electric Lambretta ride like? Full disclosure, I didn’t ride one myself, but I spoke to a couple of people who did. The overall impression of everybody I spoke to was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone that rode one dismounted with a massive smile on their face. I was told that power comes on extremely smoothly, acceleration is fantastic and the whole ride feels very ‘natural’. From a bystanders point of view, it’s bizarre to see a Lambretta startup, move off, and accelerate away all without any noise, smoke or smell. Some might think these are key elements of the whole Lambretta experience – but I’ve seen the future, and it doesn’t smell of 2stroke! There is something really weird about a Lambretta zooming past you in almost complete silence – all you can hear is the noise of the tyres on the road. One issue that as a rider you’ll have to be even more aware than ever of pedestrians stepping out in front of you – as they won’t hear you coming! Retrospective are investigating including a noise generator as part of the conversion.
There is going to be a huge majority of Lambretta owners who will always prefer the traditional 2-stroke powered internal combustion engine of the classic Lambretta. And while the ‘nostalgic side of me sympathises, and agrees, I can see the way the world is changing. There are more and more places where we won’t be allowed to ride a traditionally powered scooter. Or, if we are, we’re going to have to pay handsomely for the privilege. An electric conversion for your Lambretta (or Vespa) isn’t exactly a cheap option, but I for one have started saving up!
So, I’m going to try and keep this running as a regular feature. Here’s a couple of things to keep you occupied this Saturday and Sunday…
Leigh Miners, Kirby Road, Leigh WN7 4EF, Ride out to Manchester Children’s Hospital at 13 00 hours, Music and fun Friday night till late, cheap beer, food, Saturday morning from 08 00 stalls refreshments, Saturday night from 19:00 music fun raffle food til very late. Don’t forget your Easter eggs!
I did a big post about this yesterday, so I won’t repeat myself – here’s the link, or just scroll back 🙂
If you’re planning further ahead, check out the EVENTS page for a more comprehensive list.
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
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!
Ali, of the Midhurst Detours SC, wrote to me (a while back I must admit) with details of her new website “Diary of a Detour“. She’s been going on the rallies since the early 80s and will be including rally write-ups and other scooter tips and photos – add it to your reading list!
Nope, not the Donald… Peter Lundgren, President of the Lambretta Club USA. He was letting me know that they’ve re-vamped the website, adding a ton of new content.
It’s a fantastic resource for enthusiasts (not just in US) as they’ve collected and compiled numerous original Lambretta parts manuals, service manuals, owners manuals and miscellaneous original Lambretta related documents and scanned them to make them available through the site. For free.
At the moment, only a fraction of they’ve scanned is up on the site, but what is there is gold dust for Lambretta owners. Their primary focus is on machines not covered within Stickies manual, so if you have an early machine, it’s well worth checking out.
I’m happy to say I’ve got Lambrettisti from all around the globe reading, and getting in touch with the blog – This is only a hobby for me, so it really makes my day when you do. The love for the Lambretta is truly worldwide, and unites us all.
It goes without saying, if you’re in the US, joining the LCUSA is a no-brainer!
Here’s the website link: https://www.lambrettaclubusa.net
And their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LambrettaClubUSA/
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