In the 1960s, Italian scooters built by Lambretta and Vespa were the last word in economy transport. Conceived in the 1940s for young men and women unable to afford a car, the 1960s brought greater prosperity and more disposable incomes, and scooters became style statements. In London and around Britain, every sharp-dressed young Mod in Italian-style tailoring wanted to be seen aboard a handsome Italian scooter.

The Li was a fairly ordinary scooter when it was introduced in 1958, but it got a lot more exciting when the Series III appeared in 1962. Compared to previous incarnations, the Series III looked much nimbler and more streamlined, hence it was known as the ‘Slimstyle’. The frame, headset, horncasting, mudguard, side panels, leg shields and footboards were redesigned to not only look slimmer and more modern, but were actually made substantially lighter.

The vendor understands that this example was imported to the UK in 2012 and comprehensively restored; he bought it in 2013.  

The vendor knows very little about the scooter’s history. It was presumably sold new abroad, hence the speedometer and odometer recoding in kilometres, and was then imported into the UK in 2012, according to the V5. 

Note that the V5 records that the registration number is not transferable. 

Health issues have meant that the vendor has not ridden the scooter much in recent years, and as he relies on a friend’s garage for storage he has reluctantly decided to sell. Prior to his health issues, though, he has thoroughly enjoyed riding the scooter and has taken part in runs to Hayling Island and elsewhere from his home in Berkshire. 

The scooter’s cream paint job was clearly done to very good standards when it was restored. There are a few signs of the ten-plus years since that restoration, with some minor rust spots appearing, but generally it presents very well. 

The saddle is in extremely good condition, with no visible damage or wear. 

The original badges look great, while the only instrument is an original speedometer and odometer – this has discoloured somewhat. 

The Innocenti-branded headlamp has no cracks or corrosion, and the rear lamp is similarly good. The rear numberplate is showing signs of its age.   

Although badged as a 125, the vendor reports that the scooter is fitted with a 175cc engine, which he presumes was done at the time of restoration. Despite limited recent use, the scooter starts readily with the kick-start. The vendor reports that it rides very well, with no issues.  

The side panels remove to reveal an engine in good order, with no evidence of leaks. 

Lambretta scooters owe their lasting appeal to their role in youth culture in the 1950s and 1960s. Along with their Vespa contemporaries, the Lambretta became the must-have item for the Mods, and this spawned a whole scooter culture of modifications, customisation, rallies and runs to the seaside.

The movement gained an unexpected revival when Franc Roddam’s 1979 film Quadrophenia, based on The Who’s concept album of the same name, featured the scooter culture as the centrepiece of its narrative. The so-called Mod revival, boosted by the Two-Tone movement and The Jam’s use of mod imagery, saw renewed demand for scooters and for ‘fishtail’ parka jackets. 

The scooter scene continues to this day, with clubs and organised rallies. Modern technology has enabled scooter enthusiasts to ride with confidence, having solved many of the vehicles’ reliability issues.

This restored scooter retains much of its originality, and would be right at home at any scooter rally or seaside get-together. 

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