Introduced in June 1958 and with just 8.60 horsepower, the Innocenti Lambretta Li125 is more a muted gelding than Italian stallion.
Built for cruising rather than bruising, hours of fun may be had with these diminutive scooters as with other two-wheelers boasting many, many more horses.
It is important to keep early classic two-wheelers like this on the road and to encourage the next generation to continue to do so. As you putter along, you can’t beat seeing a child waving or smiling at your jolly two-wheeler and saying it’s cool and hoping they draw inspiration from it sometime in their future.
The popularity of genuinely historic scooters is increasing rapidly and now is the time to bag an iconic, two-wheeled bargain just in time for summer.
This attractive and colourful Innocenti Lambretta Li125 Series One was sympathetically restored around 2010-2011 after which it was registered and received its heritage 717 YUF plates with the assistance of the Lambretta Club of Great Britain.
The scooter was acquired by the current keeper in August 2018 and is now put up for auction to make way for a new acquisition of what is an evolving and eclectic collection of vehicles.
Accompanying the scooter will be the V5 Certificate in the current keeper’s name and a file of relevant paperwork of servicing, parts and documents pertaining to provenance.
This Lambretta Li125 Series One presents in truly remarkable condition all-round.
The glossy purple and contrasting white panels offer an eye-catching colour scheme.
So early is this Lambretta that there is no speedometer or odometer at the centre of the alloy handle bars…at the time, it was thought that they weren’t really needed.
Some of the original fittings salvaged from the rebuild, such as the Innocenti badge and ‘Lambretta’ chrome work now display a hint of patina but still look very sharp. Two brand new white-walled Continental tyres clad the road wheels which complete the overall aesthetic for the late 1950’s period.
Hop onto the seat and you’re transported back to the late 50’s. If ‘Living Doll’ by Cliff Richard and The Drifters was to become your earworm, our understanding would be total!
At the photo location, this pretty Lambretta Li125 Series One was not fired up – but certainly not because it wouldn’t.
We are assured by the current keeper that the scooter is in fine mechanical condition with its brakes, engine, gearbox, clutch and running gear performing as well as their respective Italian engineers intended over sixty years ago.
Based in Milan, the Lambretta Li125 and Li150 Series One scooters were made by Italian manufacturer Innocenti from 1958 to 1959.
With a starting price of 155,000 Italian lire at the time (approx. £163), they were an immediate hit with the public and offered a (reasonably) quick and inexpensive way of getting from A to B, with their good reliability ensuring you got back to A again.
Scooters of any ilk have always been a fun way of getting around and perhaps the best it gets is when riding to the coast with a group of like-minded ‘scooterrati’, as was frequently done in the ’60s and ’70s to spend the day on the promenade.
Lambretta aficionados are well catered-for with numerous and regular ride-outs up and down the country.
In addition, membership to the Lambretta Club of Great Britain is open to everyone with historic, current and future interest in the scooter lifestyle and its more than 5,000 active members are as knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic as they come.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1959 Innocenti Lambretta Li125 Series 1
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