SX… Perfection?

My last post featured a cracking “Rat Racer” Series one… and I thought it was just about perfect. Something I’d love to own. There would be a few little tweaks I’d make… and that’s the way it is with most of the scoots I find. Nearly perfect, but with a couple of tweaks… a bit of chrome there… an accessory added, or removed… but that’s the joy of Lambretta’s. The machines rolled out of the factory, close to perfection… but somehow owners (and dealers) managed to improve them.

But, I think I’ve found a machine where I wouldn’t change a thing. And it’s this stunning SX. Well, an SX 150 S-Type GT 186 to be precise. Everything from the paint colour, to the Ancillotti exhaust screams perfection for me. The raydots at the Smith chrono all add to the package. It’s a classic look, and I don’t think it’s been bettered, to be honest. Perfect.

Lambretta SX 150 S-Type GT 186 Screen shot 2013-07-06 at 07.33.41 Screen shot 2013-07-06 at 07.34.10 Screen shot 2013-07-06 at 07.34.26 Screen shot 2013-07-06 at 07.34.58 Screen shot 2013-07-06 at 07.35.23 Screen shot 2013-07-06 at 07.35.58 Screen shot 2013-07-06 at 07.36.51

This lovely scoot was shot by Christian Gentilini, and you can see more of his photography, here, on flickr. He’s a member of the Lambretta Club Teste Cromate S.C.
The pics are copyright (Christian was kind enough to allow me to use them here) so please respect that.

Oh. I’ve spotted it. The tweak I’d make to this scooter. The crankcase side panel has something missing… it needs “Owned and run by Crocodile Jock” discretely signwritten on it. Small in the bottom right corner. And maybe a small enamel union flag badge under the sprint rack. There you go… proved… Lambrettisti just can’t help tinkering with perfection!

Suedehead SX

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Love this image, snagged off The Scooterist blog of a custom SX. I’d peg it as a guy in a transitional “hard mod/suedehead” phase, the scooter, though full bodied is starting to bear the hallmarks of the later “Skinhead Skellie” style, with the high rise, basketweave seat and headrest, the scarf tied on, and the megaphone exhaust. A good look Brian!

 

Beautiful Green SX on eBay…

Lambretta SX150 Verde Mela $T2eC16hHJIQE9qUHu0GpBRY)9ly81g~~60_12 $T2eC16JHJHwE9n8iguQ0BRY)7KV8Tg~~60_12 $T2eC16VHJHIFFhj,0IZoBRY)7zId7!~~60_12 $T2eC16hHJIkE9qU3l3veBRY)8jFskw~~60_12
I’m still compiling my list of ultimate Lambretta’s, but this beautiful SX would probably make it on there.Looking pretty much as it did when it rolled out the factory, other than the white seat, which I don’t think it came with, and the sprint rack. IMHO, both these things add to the scoot. It’s finished in a stunning original shade of green that is pretty rare. I’ve got to take (slightly trainspotterish) issue with the seller, who calls it “Venus Green”… I always thought it was known as “Apple Green”… or “Verde Mela” in the original Italian. But that’s just nitpicking. I wouldn’t change a thing about this scooter… well maybe a set of whitewalls would set off that seat nicely…

Here’s the eBay link.

How Lambretta defined 1960’s design

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Great article on the Influx blog by Gary Inman on how the Lambretta, along with the E-type Jaguar and the original BMC Mini, defined 1960’s design. My favourite part is where he compares Lambrettas to their great rival Vespa… “Lambrettas are cool and beautiful. And better. End of.”
Couldn’t agree more Gary. Read the whole thing here.

Oh, and thanks to Vespamore for the heads up… although you no doubt agree to differ, eh Paul? 🙂

Scooter screenprints

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Digging these limited edition screenprints featuring classic scooters. Available for €40 + shipping from Epic Studio.

 

SX Appeal

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A bit of ScootErotica for the gentlemen readers… Sex had been used to sell scooters, and everything else since day one. New York Scooter Club has pulled together a ton of pictures of young (mostly) ladies, draped over various scooters, in various states of dress, and undress. 

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I’ve edited it down… so you don’t have to look at the “less tasteful” ones – the ones featuring Vespa’s 🙂 So we’re 100% Lambretta here.* 

5530_127227143136_39594148136_5530_128910553136_39594148136_N39594148136_1672335_2689299N39594148136_1782756_4630052N39594148136_1782766_7321658N39594148136_1782758_1208185N39594148136_1672359_2043590N39594148136_1672384_73783805530_128910548136_39594148136_N39594148136_1717699_5157154N39594148136_1717580_8067715N39594148136_1717751_3152966N39594148136_1717560_2537006N39594148136_1672354_1650969N39594148136_1672383_7220491N39594148136_1672367_6554254

 

*Actually, there’s one joker in the pack, that appears twice. Points if you spot it, bonus points if you can name the make and model.

 

Lambretta Collectables

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Hmm, not sure about these… “inspired by the artistry of Peter Carl Fabergé, this treasure has been handcrafted from fine Heirloom Porcelain® and handpainted for intricate detail. Finished with silvery touches, this masterpiece is adorned with traditional Lambretta colours and logos”. Very nice… but why put it in an egg? Still, it seems they’ve got the detail right, and at £39.99 they’re not outrageously expensive. There’s two in the range at the moment… The SX with the union flag panels, and the iconic Rallymaster. Further issues to follow, including a 200 DL (or GP as we tend to know it in the UK). See for yourself on the Bradford Exchange website. Could be the perfect present for the Lambrettista in your life.

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