Sold for £4,945
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: JWE 505C
Frame No: 150LiS 254850
Engine No: 150Li 778614
CC: 150
MOT: Exempt
During World War II Innocenti ran a steel tubing factory in the Lambrate district of Milan in northern Italy, producing components for the Italian Air Force and construction. After the war Innocenti needed to find a new product in order to survive. Inspired by the Cushman scooters that the US army imported into Italy Ferdinando Innocenti realised he could apply many of the parts that the factory was already producing to motor scooter production. Innocenti started production of Lambretta scooters in 1947, the year after Piaggio started production of its Vespa models. There are still clubs across the world devoted to the Lambretta scooter. The clubs still participate and organise ride outs and rallies which regularly take place and still have high attendances. Across the UK there are many privately owned scooter shops that deal with everything Lambretta, from sales, services, parts, tuning, performance and complete nut and bolt restorations.
The ‘150 Special’ debuted at Milan in 1963. The tuned engine and close-ratio gearbox made for a faster – 95kmh – machine with much-improved acceleration. A limited number were produced in metallic silver as the more common ‘Silver special’ and gold as the rarer ‘Golden Special’ around 1965 for little more than a year. Naturally, its rarity has led to many ordinary Li Special models being turned into ‘Golden’ copies by the addition of paint colour and badges. The Special 150cc engine/gearing combination on these models was also particularly sought after by Lambretta racers who raided the machine engines and this has contributed to the rarity of them in original state.
Here we present a very rare original paint unmolested genuine Italian Golden Special. Imported in the early 1990’s from Italy she resided in the famous Lambretta Museum in Weston-Super-Mare for over 25 years and was purchased by the vendor in 2016 when the museum closed down. Still with its original green Guiliari seat in good order and all keys are present. This has resulted in a stunningly preserved original condition time-warp machine. The running-in decal is still visible. The frame and engine numbers are correct and it is almost certain that the engine has never been removed nor any sign a cable has ever been replaced. The engine is turning freely but a complete mechanical overhaul with a conservative approach to preserve her is recommended. The bodywork is absolutely sound with exceptional condition paint all over.
Genuine Golden Special Lambrettas in this condition are a very rare find indeed.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Diamond
info@vintagescooters.co.uk
07768 313001
Auction: National Motorcycle Museum, 20th Jul, 2022
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Wednesday 20th July 2022, from 9am
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