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.

Moody brakes…

Posted on June 23, 2015 by crocodilejock

Julie in Norfolk sent me a pic of her lovely GP, which she’s lavished a lot of money and attention on… a beautiful scoot. Trouble is, she’s having problems with her brakes… it “shudders like anything” on braking… but only on bumpy roads. She asked me for a bit of advice, but I’m not really qualified to help, especially with something as vital as brakes. I recommended she ask on the LCGB forums, which I’ve always found helpful… but if you guys have any ideas, feel free to leave a comment…

Skinhead Style Skelly

Posted on March 30, 2015 by crocodilejock

Back in the day, the easiest way to “customise” your Lammie, was to take the side panels off, and unbolt anything you could… to create a “skelly”. This, along with bolting on a big bore exhaust was also done in pursuit of an elusive extra couple of miles per hour…

As with all these things, there are different levels of “getting it right” and this skinhead style skelly has plenty of authentic 70’s style touches… the megaphone exhaust, sidewinder seat and wooden running boards all giving it a the proper skin/suedehead feel.

The TS1 225 lump should give it plenty of poke, with a hydraulic front break to bring it to a safe stop.

Here’s the eBay link

eBay Watch

Posted on February 9, 2015 by crocodilejock

I always keep an eye on eBay; just to see if there is anything interesting or unusual that would benefit from a post on the blog. Often it’s quite uninspiring… but then sometimes theres a run of scooters that just “do it” for me… Here are a trio of Lammies, all a bit different from the ‘run of the mill’ that are up on eBay at the moment.

Firstly, this rather tasty pink GP…

A guaranteed headturner /conversation starter! Here’s the eBay link

Next, another love it or hate it colour… chocolate brown… It’s a bit of a 70’s/80’s thing.

If that floats your boat, here’s the link to that one<img style=”text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;” src=”http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5575075368&toolid=10001&campid=5337446923&customid=&item=291370650312&mp Finally, for now, here’s “General Lee” a nicely put together “Southern” themed cutdown TS1. I’m guessing the builder of this watched a bit of “Dukes of Hazard” back in the day…

Here’s the link

Lambretta Vlog Time…

Posted on January 21, 2015 by crocodilejock

T’internet’s a funny old thing isn’t it? Always something new to discover. I just stumbled across “Lambretta Vlog Time” a Video Blog about a guy and his Lambrettas. And it was episode 16. Which means I’ve missed the first 15 somehow. Oh well… some catching up to do! One of my less tiresome jobs to do this week! I probably won’t repost all 15 on here… but I will post the best, and hopefully give you a heads up when a new one pops up!

This one focuses on a nicely restored GP which is nearly finished, and looks like will be up for sale soon. Check out the rest of the vids for yourself on digger9million’s YouTube Channel, here.

Shelby AC Tribute GP

Posted on November 17, 2014 by crocodilejock

Here’s a superb Readspeed GP TS1 230 up for sale on the bay… “designed to replicate the Shelby AC Cobra race car whilst keeping the genuine originality of the Lambretta and the GP200 it originated from. As such every detail of the build was meticulous even down to the dark blue metallic and Wimbledon white paint which was from the Shelby works in Las Vegas”

An original Italian GP 200 with matching frame numbers, the current owner reckon stop have spent over £25k getting the scooter to look this good. One of the ‘signature pieces’ is the (genuine Taffspeed) exhaust, modified to replicate that of the AC Cobra, which , along with the vented side panels make this scoot truly unique.

Here it is on eBay

Supertune Gulf GP

Posted on September 9, 2014 by crocodilejock

So you like the livery of the Bambini sidecar combo I posted the other day, but don’t need a sidecar? Well there’s a Supertune GP on eBay that might float your boat. That lever sticking out from the sidepanel? A custom heel/toe rear brake. Here it is on eBay
There’s that eBay link again.

While I was nosing around on eBay, I found this original Vintage Gulf Racing jacket (from the 1971 racing season), which would set off the scoot nicely! Here’s the link.

Classy classic combo

Posted on September 6, 2014 by crocodilejock

The Gulf Racing colours of pale blue and bright orange are a classic and recognisable combination that work so well together. I’ve seen them on many vehicles, from Porches to Beetles, Mini’s, bikes and a fair few scoots over the years. But I think this is the first time I’ve seen them on a Lambretta sidecar combination. In my ever so humble opinion, it works. And it’s for sale on eBay. The scooter (a GP 150) has been upgraded to with a GT 186 kit, so should pull that Watsonian along nicely. It’s on eBay here. But be quick, the auction ends today.
Here’s that link again