Category Archives: Not a Lambretta

The Triumph T10 – The prettiest British Scooter?

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s-l1600-1Spotted this pretty little Triumph on eBay. Lovely clean lines for a scooter that doesn’t originate in Italy! Dare I say, it’s prettier than a J? Dare I? Nah, not on here. But’s it’s close. It apparently “drives very nice” and “everything works as it should” (Buyers words, so do your own checks). It’s listed at a pretty reasonable £1,950, but he’s open to offers, as he’s not sure how much it’s worth. I’d say he’s pitched it about right?

It comes with a load of paperwork. Which is always nice! Here’s the eBay link

The Triumph T10 – also known as the Triumph Tina – was the lightweight sister scooter to the better known Triumph Tigress. Made between 1962 and 1970 it was marketed at women, in a campaign fronted by Peter Pan of Pop Cliff Richard (I’d love to see some original publicity material if anybody’s got any – I’ve tried finding some online to no avail!). Technically the Tina was quite advanced – an early ‘auto’ using a continuously variable transmission system with a centrifugal clutch. There were even plans, and actual prototypes for a three-wheeler version – predating Piaggio’s MP3 by decades!

Lots more info about the Tina / T10 and her big sis the Tigress on the TriumphScooters website.

Cockerel found in barn…

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Moto_Guzzi_Galletto_0The Moto Guzzi Galletto (or ‘cockerel’) was their attempt to muscle in on the burgeoning scooter market of the 1950’s, with a ‘large wheel scooter’. This one was imported in the 70s by its last owner and dry stored ever since. Thought to be a 1952, although there’s no paperwork with the bike so sold as a true ‘barn find’. The Moto Guzzi owners club might be able to help with that side of things. Very original, cloth wiring all in good shape, plenty of compression. Its been oiled and kept mechanically ‘free’ since its been stored, although I’ve not fired it up. A great project for someone who loves Italian classics!

In an interesting side note, the boys at Guzzi also came up with a prototype for a small wheel scooter. This was seen by Lambretta as one competitor too many. A marque as iconic as Moto Guzzi was a serious threat. In retaliation, Lambretta produced a prototype 250cc V-twin motorcycle (which I featured back in January 2016) – which threatened to compete directly with Moto Guzzi on their turf. A compromise was swiftly reached, and neither prototype (Guzzi’s scooter, or Lambretta’s motorcycle) was put into production. Funnily enough, although Moto Guzzi’s are still in production, the company is now owned by Piaggio, who, of course, also own the Vespa brand.

Anyway. back to this “Cockerel” It’s on sale, on eBay here
There’s a “buy it now’ price of £3,250.

This post was updated 13/7/17 to link to the Lambretta 250cc Racing Motorcycle prototype, which I’d forgotten I’d blogged about previously 🙂 Link.

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Cute Classics

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Found some of the cutest classics money can buy on a well known auction site starting with e. And they’re not going for silly money. More than I can afford, but not silly money.

First up is this glorious little Glas GoggomobilGlasGoggomobilTS250

A German car with a definite Italian look about it, this rare TS250 Coupe is being sold as a non-running project. The good news is the car is pretty much complete and original. Having spent most of it’s 59 years in South Africa it’s almost rust-free too. A cracking little motor for £8.5k.
Here’s the eBay link

Next, and just a pretty is another tiny classic, this Autobianchi Berlina

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Dating from 1966, it’s got Italian good look in a small package – a stylish alternative to the more commonly seen Fiat 500, with which it shares many mechanicals.
Here’s the eBay link

Talking of 500’s – there’s always a few on eBay… but this Giardiniera offers a little more space than the standard saloon.
Here’s the eBay link for the Fiat

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Finally, for now, is this 1962 BMW Isetta… the classic ‘bubble car’. It’s not cheap, at a shade under £14k, but I’ve seen them a lot more expensive than this…  it purports to be in excellent nick, dry stored for a number of years. Before then, it had a full engine rebuild.
Here’s the eBay link for the Isetta
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SoopaDoopa Scootacar

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scootacar_heroLong time readers will have my spotted my penchant for a microcar… and this British designed & built Scootacar is a cracker. Made by The Hunslet Engine Company from Leeds, it was allegedly designed for one of the directors who wanted something easier to park than her Jag!

This is a Mk.1 from 1961, in “outstanding & running” condition – it comes with an extensive history file, original sales literature, current V5c with original number plate, and even a (very collectable) SAMs die cast model. All the spares left-over from the restoration are included, along with original rear LEP lights.

It’s on eBay for a shade under £25k.

Here’s the link

Classic Italian Collection (and more) up for auction…

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Got the heads up on the next Brightwells Classic and Vintage Auction at Leominster on the 8th March. As well as a clutch of other interesting cars and bikes there is a collection of Italian Classics from Andy Heyward… see the video above for an overview. The vehicles I’ve included below are a just a couple that caught my eye, get the full details on the Brightwells site… here’s a link to the online catalogue.

There’s a Lambretta J125 that’ll need a little love and attention… (there’s a couple of other “J’s” too)tn_lambretta_j125

A rare Mercury Hermes scooter, built in the Black Country…img_0756

A Lambro…tn_lambro_3

One I haven’t seen before, a Gitan Joligri from around 1970tn_p1050216_1tn_p1050217_1

A ‘Vespa-ish’ Gilera G50 from 1967

Another Rarity… the rather ‘awkward looking’ Ducati’s Brio. How could a company that makes such beautiful motorcycles produce something so fugly?tn_p1060510_1tn_p1060517_1tn_p1060519_1

The equally awkward Casalini Sulky microcar… (Read the catalogue write-up for this one, it’s hilarious!).
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The rather prettier little 50cc BM Pokerino… never mind a scooter I’d never even heard of – an Italian marque (Bonvicin Marini) I’d never even heard of! It appears to be sans side panels, which is a shame as I don’t think they’d be the easiest thing to source – but a nice, sporty looking little scoot. That ‘straight flush’ legshield badge is a cracker.tn_p1050080tn_p1050084_1tn_p1050093

Next up an Italian marque you will have heard of… Benelli… one of a brace of Benelli’s in the auction… and the only motorcycle I’m featuring here (although there are plenty in the auction). A popular bike in Italy (and amongst Italian Motorcycle Fans). This Benelli Leoncino (Leoncino translates to Lion Cub in Italian) correctly  features the cast ali Lion mascot on the front mudguard…

There’s a bunch of classic four-wheelers too… including a bunch of Italian classics, some lovely FIAT’s, Lancia’s and Ferraris, my favourite is this cracking little chocolate-brown Autobianchi Bianchina Speciale. It’s got an estimate of £2,500 – £3,000, which seems an absolute bargain to me!

And finally for now, we’ll end on another scooter… the rather elegant looking Aer Macchi Brezza – the clean, aerodynamic lines demonstrating the aircraft manufacturing roots behind this company. With only 2,000 Brezza’s made, it’s a pretty rare scoot.

That’s it for now. See the Brightwells site for full details and how to get involved in the auction.

 

Iso love this…

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luigis_isoLuigi from Italy sent me a picture of his scooter, this beautiful Iso – known officially in it’s native Italy  simply as the “F” – although maybe better known to British readers as the Iso Milano, (it’s South American name) or the Diva, as it was marketed under in Spain. Iso developed the F after an initial collaboration with, of all people Maserati… I wrote about the only known surviving scooter from this collaboration here. The lines of the F are classically italian, the scooter bears more than a passing resemblance to a Lambretta Series 1/2 and the Vespa VNB, depending on which angle you’re looking at it from 🙂im000636

Luigi knows a thing or two about classic scooters, having written the Iso pages on the (excellent) Scooter d’Epoca site.

Dirty Diana…

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Spotted this less than pristine Dürkopp Diana on eBay. It’s missing it’s seats and sidepanels, the engine is seized, and there’s no documents. But it IS cheap, (classified ad price of £795) and as soon as I saw it I though of a headline for a post, so I had to stick it up! The same fella is selling a Swallow Gadabout, NSU Prima, a Zundapp Bella and a Heinkel A0, all in a similar ‘restorable’ condition, so if Dürkopp is not your brand of choice, there are some others for you!

I was going to write a brief history of the Durkopp Diana scooters, but I couldn’t be more thorough than my online pal Tideous Ted, over on the Retrorambling blog. So, if you’re interested, just read this.

Here’s a glimpse at what it could look like after a little tlc. Conveniently shot at almost exactly the same angle!
117381_dur3If you fancy a bit of a rest job on a German scooter with Italian(ish) styling,

Get your bid on on eBay here

Funky Moped…

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benelli_moped_ebay_heroFrom the ‘Not a Lambretta, but – files’…Spotted this cheeky little 50cc Benelli Monkey Bike on eBay. It’s not UK registered, but comes with a kosher sales invoice and a NOVA certificate. You’ll need a dating certificate from the Owners Club. The engine works. And it’s a not unreasonable £1,595.00 (classified ad price).

Here it is on eBay

Scootering, Maltese Style.

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20150426_173710Sandro from Malta got in touch, initially interested in doing a deal on the Maserati scooter I featured a while back. I saw he had some interesting scoots, and persuaded him to send me some pictures…

Here’s his Lambrettas…

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Here is his Vespa U… 20150510_192046

The Vespa U is one of the rarest of all Vespas. Looking a lot like the Allstate model produced for the US market, the Vespa U was a ‘bare bones’ economy model. But the public at the time preferred spending a little more for a more refined /well equipped Vespa, and so it was cancelled  after  only machines were 6000 produced. Lambretta had a similar idea with their ‘E’ model, a similar commercial flop. 3,500 U’s were sold off to either Iran or Iraq (accounts vary!)for use by the government post office – and disappeared after that. Today, there are maybe 20 machines left on the planet…and Sandro has one 🙂 So, initially a commercial failure but now one of the most desirable of Vespas!

And here’s his rather lovely Iso Diva Milano.

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It’s a Series 1 (and an early Series 1 at that), replete with super rare period accessories. Itself a rare machine, with only 2,000 series 1’s produced…

EDIT: I’ve just noticed the Iso Milano that was on eBay before Christmas has been relisted, now you can see how beautiful it could look, are you interested? Here it is on eBay

Finally,  here’s some other Maltese scooters…

The scene in Malta is quite strong, with 70 or 80 classic scooters on the road, (and many more in garages and back yards – aint that like everywhere!).

Thanks Sandro, I appreciate the pics, and great way to kick off the New Year on the blog!  If you’ve got a scooter collection, or would like your club featured (wherever you are in the world), get in touch and we’ll see if I can feature you on the blog.

What do you get if you cross a Lambretta with a Vespa?

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iso_milano_ebay_heroWell, it wouldn’t look a million miles from an Iso Milano would it? The front half looks very Vespa, while from the headset back it’s got distinctly Lambretta styling. Dating from 1957/58, it’s a remarkable ‘modern’ looking scooter for the day… Lambretta’s still had the headlight on the horncasing then. So, best of both worlds, or a bit of chimera? I suppose that’s a matter of taste.

If it’s to your taste, you can get hold of this one on eBay, here for not too much dosh; £1,250.00 ‘buy it now’ or make them an offer. Leave the Iso badges off, and you’ll have a few people scratching their heads… The bloke from the front saw you on a red Vespa, the bloke from the side swears blind you were riding a Lammie!
Here it is on eBay (Link updated as the scooter has been resisted).