The World’s Most Exclusive Scooter?

Posted on March 25, 2016 by crocodilejock

MaseratiM2-HERO There are many scooters labelled as ‘rare’. (especially on eBay!) Among the rarer Lambretta models are the Eibar Winter Models, GP Electronics, TV200’s (especially Spanish ones) which have a justifiable claim to the tag ‘rare’.

MaseratiM2-HERO-1 Of course, it’s not just Lambretta models… the Vespa SS90 springs to mind from the Piaggio stable. And if we move away from the ‘big two’ the rarity value may step up a notch… with all the motorcycle (and car) manufacturers who tried to jump onto the ‘scooter boom’ of the fifties… Triumph, BSA, Peugeot even Harley Davidson and Ducati tried to get a piece of the action. But I honestly think I found the most exclusive scooter ever. It’s Italian (always a good thing when it comes to scooters), and is one of the most iconic marques in automotive history… Maserati.

The story of the Alférez – the ONLY Maserati scooter in existence, starts when Maserati began a collaboration Iso Rivolta. Iso are probably best known today for developing the Isetta bubble car, but also had a history of producing sports cars, motorcycles and scooters.

Together, Maserati and Iso Rivolta produced two concept / prototype scooters in 1957, the M1 (now unfortunately lost in history, but probably a 125cc) and the M2 – the 150cc Alférez.

Although a ‘prototypes’ you can tell from the pictures that this scooter was not far from being a finished production machine. Stylistically it’s not a million miles away from a Series 2 Lambretta, with more than a hint of Vespa around the front wheel set-up. The only thing that jars a little with me is the headlight, which is not quite as elegant as that of a Lambretta Series 2… but then again this model was out two years before the Series 2.

The frame and engine numbers are simple “M2”, and the Maserati logo on the crankcase are worth taking a second look at. The horncast Maserati badge is unique too… with a red racing car alluding to their Grand Prix heritage, and the name Alférez… a link to the Maserati founders name (Alfieri), but tellingly translated in Spanish… a hint to their ambitions in Latin America, where scooters were popular, but prehaps the Lambretta and Vespa names were not so embedded as Europe or the USA. But a promotional trip to Mexico ended badly, Maserati abandoned the scooter market. The M2 prototype remained too, finally ending up in Texas, where it resides today.

Iso continued making scooters, and while being less commercially successful than Innocenti and Piaggio, are one the few manufacturers a run for their money in styling – in my humble opinion of course.

Find out more about Maserati M2 here, where it’s for sale, if you have deep pockets. To quote from the website “The value of the scooter, a unique part of the history of the ‘Made in Italy’ is for serious collectors to personally judge, the reason why I leave the scooter price open to fair / reasonable offers. As this is a unique collector’s item, I will not answer openly low offers.”

~~If you want to put in a (serious) offer in here’s the website again~~ Update: the original site has now disappeared, I guess the scooter has been sold! If anybody knows of it’s current whereabouts / ownership, I’d love to know. If you’re the new owner, I bet you’ve got some other lovely scoots too (or perhaps a Maserati collection?) care to share some pics on the blog?

Lambretta Serveta Puma Cross

Posted on March 4, 2016 by crocodilejock

light mo

LamServetaPuma Here’s a bit of a rarity I stumbled across on eBay, a dual Lambretta/Serveta branded scrambler style ~~moped~~ 50cc motorcycle (It ain’t a moped – see the comments).

Now, normally when you see the words ‘very rare’ you can take them with a pinch of salt, but this is the real deal, especially in the UK – although slightly less so in it’s native Spain. Dating from the late ’70’s the Puma came in two variants, the ‘Endure’ and the ‘Puma Cross’ the Puma Cross having 5 gears – itself pretty unusual for a moped. It’s in need of a little TLC, but comes with a bunch of spares. The only bit that doesn’t look quite right to me is the exhaust… I think the original may have come up a higher, following the lines of the mudguard…

Rarity usually demands a premium in the Lambretta world, but this is currently sitting at just £400. If you’re like the look of it, or just fancy something a bit different for your Lambretta collection get your bid in!
Here’s the eBay link

Lambretta trike for sale

Posted on January 27, 2016 by crocodilejock

Two wheels good, three wheels better?

I featured this funky trike on the blog a while back, when it was Ford Focus Orange… and loved it then. Now she’s had a makeover, and she’s up for sale!

If you’re a rally goer, you’ve probably seen her, as she’s travelled to every major rally, including the IOW, and Kalkar in Germany, picking up over 30 trophies on the way. And she gets a lot of attention wherever she goes. She’s given the owner, and builder Brett has just given the engine a full rebuild (rockers/cam/piston/1mm

The trike’s owner, and builder Brett has just given the engine a full rebuild (rockers/cam/piston/1mm rebore) as she’s given him seven trouble free-years of scootering. He’s also replaced the front forks, wheel, and she’s got a new front tyre and calliper.

Despite all the miles the trike has been kept in tip-top condition, and she’s like new… and not just ‘under the hood’ (or should that be under the panels) the paintwork is in mint condition. After the £20k+ Brett spent building her, he wanted to keep her nice! what are you getting for your money (other than a true one-off of course)? She’s powered by a Honda 200cc TRXD semi-auto with 5 forward gears and reverse.

You could be her next owner

Now Brett wants her to go to a good home. So what are you getting for your money (other than a true one-off of course)? Well, she’s powered by a Honda 200cc TRXD semi-auto with 5 forward gears and reverse. She ‘sounds the bollox’ with double s/s pipes. and you’ll get a load of spare bits for the trike including rear tyres and Italian GP legshields. Brett wants £9,500 which is a deal, a steal, the sale of the century for a once in a lifetime chance to own a unique scoot. If you want any further info email him

Brett wants £9,500 which is a deal, a steal, the sale of the century for a once in a lifetime chance to own a unique scoot. If you want any further info email him here, or text him on 07842 712197.

Ironman Helmet

Posted on January 14, 2016 by crocodilejock

s-l500-1 s-l500
Not sure how good a crash helmet this actually is, from a safety point of view (it is DOT Approved), but it’s a definite head turner! If you’re a fan of Tony Stark and his alter ego its… On eBay here

Ships from the USA.

Will, (I) Am (a Lambretta)

Posted on November 3, 2015 by crocodilejock

Well, a Lambretta engine anyway. Regular readers might remember the rather odd French, Lambretta powered microcars from Willam… (if you don’t you can catch up here and here). Well, there’s one for sale on eBay. It’s about as back to basics motoring as you can get, although this variant the “Super Comtesse” has four wheels. Cheap as chips (at the moment) and perfect for the Lambretta completist… or someone that wants to travel very slowly and attract a lot of attention to themselves. Check it out on eBay, here.

Reasonably priced classics…

Posted on October 28, 2015 by crocodilejock

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Silly money?

Posted on October 25, 2015 by crocodilejock

The price of Lambretta scooters seems to be reaching new heights, as a quick glance at eBay will confirm. A TV175 Series 3, for the best part of £15k, an SX200 for a ‘buy it now’ price of £12k, and an Italian GP for £7,779… All very nice looking scooters… but that’s a lot of your hard earned cash to spend on a scooter.

The first one is, admittedly a beautiful machine, and the only one of the three I’ve seen in the flesh. Restored by the world famous RImini Lambretta Centre… so you know everything will be done to the highest standard. But still… that’s a lot of dosh. Check it out on eBay here.

The second is another very desirable scooter; a British Registered SX200, in champagne and white, still with it’s original Ken Cobbing seat. Matching frame and engine numbers and original panels and bodywork. Bit still… a little steep at £12K?
Here it is on eBay

If GP’s are more your thing… there’s a nice, 1969 original Innocenti 200. Restored to a high standard, and looking lovely in yellow ochre. A steal at just £7,779? If it’s for you, here’s the eBay link

And it’s not just the more desirable models that are getting expensive… here’s a 150 LD going for £4800… something that would have seemed, if not unthinkable, an “ambitious” price, just a few years ago. Here’s the eBay link to the LD

So, are these machines actually worth these price tags? They’re all very desirable scooters, and look like they’ve been restored to a high standard. So, ultimately, the market will decide. It’s hard to see prices dropping in the future, so a classic Italian scooter may be a good investment, even at these prices. But remember, these machines are always better ridden than hidden.

There are still plenty of more affordable Lambrettas out there, but they may be either less cosmetically attractive, needing some work, or complete ‘projects’. I suppose it’s good news if you already own a Lambretta, or are in a position to buy and restore one… but the downside is it’s getting increasingly difficult for youngsters to get involved in our scene.

Rare, TV200 (GT) Instruction Booklet…

Posted on September 30, 2015 by crocodilejock

Spotted on eBay, and something I’ve never seen before. A couple of different Lambretta concessionaires instruction booklets for that most desirable of Lambrettas, the TV200… also known as the GT. £60 each… and not exactly in pristine condition, but a ‘nice to have’ if you’re lucky enough to own a GT!
Here's the first one…

and here's the second…

Barn Find LI

Posted on April 11, 2015 by crocodilejock

Found this great looking unrestored 1960 LI online… I wish I’d found it in a barn! It’s up for auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire on the 15th of April, with a guide price of £1,000 – £1,500 (which seems about right). It would benefit from a sensitive, “conserved restoration”. It comes with some nice original period accessories… and you can use that white top box to keep some bits in, in your garage. Or bin it. If you’re interested, you can find out more here.

C-Section

Posted on March 22, 2015 by crocodilejock

Model D’s seem to come up fairly regularly, but it’s precdessor, the C, is a much rarer beast. There’s one on eBay that looks pretty good… somebody has a go with a spray gun a few years ago, but it looks like it wouldn’t take much to get this open frame classic back to head turning condition. There’s some great period accessories that come as part of the deal… they’ll need a bit of tlc too, but you could end up with something truly unique. Check it out on eBay here