Rare 1970 Lambretta GP200 Electronic on eBay

Lambretta GP 200 Electronic“rare” is a word that is much overused in eBay listings relating to scooters… But those of you who know your Lambrettas will know this is something a bit special. Nobody knows how many original Electronics there are left, but there’s only going to be a few. “Rare as a Spitfire” is the line used in the description… that’ll give you some perspective. With machines like this, provenance is everything. This scooter is documented way back, and has a certificate from the LCGB. But, if you are thinking of putting a bid in, please do your own homework and satisfy yourself that it’s the genuine article. After all, your probably end up paying at least a £5k premium for that coveted ‘Electronic’ tag.

The seller bought the bike on eBay in May this year, (how did I not see that!), in bits, and although it’s only July, it looks like he’s done an excellent resto on it. All the parts and processes are listed on eBay, along with the cost of everything, and the history of the bike. Now, I don’t know the guy, but everything seems pretty open, up front and honest. But as the saying goes, caveat emptor. Go and have a look. It’s in Sidcup, Kent.

Here’s the link.

Lambretta GP 200 Electronic

Lambretta GP 200 Electronic

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One for the road. And another one.

$T2eC16V,!ykE9s7tw3RVBRzF4QYbiQ~~60_12 $T2eC16VHJI!E9qSO8)WfBR0VEjhCQw~~60_12Browsing eBay, as I do, just on the off chance my lottery numbers come up, I came across a couple of rather nice Series 1’s… each with a completely different look and feel. First up is this restored example in turquoise and white… 175 AF Rayspeed kit and a Clubman exhaust… it’s got a fixed “Buy it now” price of £3,150. Very tidy, very nice. If it’s your cup of tea, here’s the link: Lambretta Series One on eBay.

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But I think I actually prefer this one… “The Swiss Shitter” Based on a Swiss model* Series One, and also dating from ’59… this ‘rat look racer’ has a lovely patina about her… love the “stickerbomb” look and the chrome horncast. It’s got a Rapido 225 lump, GP 200 Gearbox and the carb and exhaust (a Fresco) to go with it. Currently sitting at £2,250 but with four days to go, and this one will go higher. Here’s the link.

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*Swiss model? No, I didn’t know they made one either. I can feel a bit of research and a blog post coming on! From the eBay listing, there was hand pinstriping as standard, as well as side panel and front mudguard embellishers, and running board protectors.

Innocenti Mini

Innocenti MiniBrowsing the Nerves Autos site I mentioned yesterday I found a couple of nice Innocenti items. A 1971 Mk2 Mini, and an Innocenti Small.

The mini is a lovely little car, resprayed in it’s original pea green colour, and restored to the high standards demanded by FIVA, and the ASI Targa Oro (Gold Plate) …only given to vehicles restored to original condition.

Innocenti Mini Mini-1001-0001 Mini-1001-0006 Mini-1001-0002 It’s in lovely condition throughout, I particularly like the original “Mille Miglia” wheels, and the small, Italian front number plate – I don’t know the rules of keeping this in the UK, but as a historic vehicle, your might be ok. I think it’s a bit of a bargain at €5.700.  More here.

Innocenti Small 500 LSThe other car an Innocenti Small – a 500cc dating from 1993. While not as immediately attractive as the Mini, it’s got a late 80’s/early 90’s appeal all of it’s own… a future classic, and an steal at €1.900. Maybe.Alfa-Romeo-Junior-1300-GT-Scalino-1972-0000

Unfortunately sold, and rather more to my personal taste, is a rather nice 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, but there’s a lovely 1970 Giulia GT 1300 Junior Scalino still available. And you won’t find many small, sporty saloons prettier than that.

Back from the dead…

Very few people would consider restoring a Lammie as badly corroded as this…rustoration - before 004After getting this cheap (it would have to be!!) off of eBay, Jon thought he’d have a go.

Luckily he had access to a good welder – strike that – a miracle worker, (Paul at Atoms in Maidstone, and his dad) who not only  made good, but fabricated whole new elements – of the sidepanels for example.

008 009 0034 0044After priming, and sorting out a seized engine, Jon put it all back together… and while he’s not going to have a show winner – he’s got a great looking, road going Lammie. One that many Lambretta experts would have consigned to the skip. I love it, and can’t wait to see what the next chapter in this scooters history holds. Big respect, Jon!

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Brazilian Series 2 Restoration

Nice little video of a restoration of a Brazilian 1966 Series 2 Lambretta. She looked pretty good in it’s original black livery, but two years of hard work and “stress, irritation and headache” (we’ve all been there!) transformed her into a thing of beauty. It’s and interesting game to spot the differences between the Brazilian S2’s and the Italian ones we are more used to seeing… the first, and most obvious one is the date of manufacture… 1966… five years after production finished on Innocenti machines. Other easy to spot ones are the carb/air filter set up, the exhaust (I quite like the look of that short silencer box!) and the three speed gear change… Cosmetically, the badges are very different, including an attractive rear frame embellisher/ badge. So far, so obvious… how many more differences can you spot?

A neat touch in adding rear indicators to the resto is integrating them with the spare wheel carrier, a nice solution.

Update: I have received an email from Jean, the restorer of this fine Series 2, clearing up a few things. Firstly, was the matter of colour… I stated that the original paint was black, and that was just a case of me being sloppy with my english. What I should have written, of course, is existing paint. Brazilian S2’s were only made in an “off white” shade – I’m guessing this would be something similar to the original Italian Ivory (Avoria) colour, but it may be different). The scooter has got four gears, it’s just the numeral 4 has worn off on the handlebar. The exhaust system is off of a later Lambretta, (one native to Brasil that deserves a post all of it’s own – The Cynthia), and has the fish tail on the silencer is a one off, custom item hand made by an iron worker.