Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1968 Lambretta Li150 Special
Believed one of only a handful of NYPD Innocentis to survive
Estimate
£3, 000 - £4, 000
Registration: Unregistered
Frame No: 150Li3 743191
Engine No: SX150 72386
MOT: Exempt
Very late rare hybrid Li version for restoration
Impressive originality
Recently imported by a collector into the UK
Large haul of original NYPD scooter literature
Rare correct accessories including original NYPD scooter helmet
The New York Police Department, the largest force in the world, had been using scooters for patrol duties in various ways since 1964 initially with Cushmans then Vespas. In 1968 the NYPD ordered 274 Italian Innocenti Lambrettas and more again in 1969. These very late Italian models were painted in the white and green livery as were all NYPD vehicles at the end of the 1960s. It is widely known that the green paint was due to the strong contingent of Irish officers in the NYPD. In 1971 the NYPD wanted more Lambrettas and re-approached Innocenti who by then were in the ownership of BMC who had closed down the scooter side of the business. The enquiry was directed to the Spanish factory of Eibar who were making Lambrettas under license. They were ordered in white with blue cowls. In 1975 International Sportcycles issued a press release stating that the NYPD had ordered 366 more Lambrettas taking the whole fleet up to 1000 scooters across the 79 precincts. The last versions purchased were again Spanish supplied and again from the Eibar factory who were by then calling themselves Serveta. They were blue and white with much larger decals and indicators. The NYPD Lambrettas have been immortalised over the years by ‘The Incredible Scooter Cops’ Joe Willins ('Scooter Joe') and Kenny Kaufman with a book and and a new film is in production of their exploits. Any of the NYPD scooters that were still serviceable were sold off at various surplus auctions in the 1970s/ 80s, and very few survive. The whole story of the NYPD scooters can be seen in Classic Scooterist magazine issue Feb/ March 2019.
Here we present what is believed to be a genuine 1968 Innocenti NYPD Lambretta. The scooter was found with its original truncheon holder holes in the side panel, the exact correct original green paint on the front mudguard and under the panels, and the chassis number being in the range of the NYPD Lambrettas sold at a surplus auction in 1974. Only a handful of this version of NYPD Lambretta are known to still exist.
It is also one of the last versions of the Italian made Li range. They are unusual in that they have an SX type headset, push in fork buffers, plastic GP type toolbox, an SX engine, rectangular badge. The SX type headset was necessary to house the ignition key switch which was a stipulation of the order. It is said that this order of 274 machines were purchased through the UK Lambretta Concessionaires who were able to match the specification required from their stock. Further information on this can be found in the article in Classic Scooterist Feb/ March issue 2019. It is also similar to Lot 100 sold on 29th of March, albeit with the SX150 engine.
The scooter is presented in extremely original condition albeit with an amateur overpaint. The engine turns but has not been run. Still on 6v electrics with points, it appears fairly unmolested and is very complete. The vendor also managed to acquire the correct rear rack and the extremely rare correct USA made BUCO windscreen is supplied with the scooter. We noted that the original Pirelli tyres were still present. It also had the original tool kit and tool roll when found. Sold to the public in 1974 the scooter was last registered on the road in April 1977 as can be seen by the original license sticker still on the scooter and we believe has not been used since.
We also present here in this lot many original examples of NYPD Police memorabilia and history of the NYPD scooter and its background including:
A genuine NYPD scooter helmet
A very large number of Spring 3100 the in-house NYPD cop magazine and each has scooter or NYPD scooter equipment-related information within’
Copies of the New Yorker and Time magazine each with NYPD scooter information
Action pictures of the Innocenti Lambrettas on duty at the time
A large number of ‘Law and Order’ the national US cop magazine and each has scooter or NYPD scooter equipment-related information within’
