Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1966 Lambretta SX200 (230)
Estimate
£9, 500 - £11, 500
Registration: KVK 625D
Frame No: SXthe details below
Engine No: SXthe details below
MOT: Exempt
British registered from new with full history
Original green log book stating 225cc
Correct numbers only 18 apart
V5C for use on UK roads
Many regard the SX200 to be the finest scooter Innocenti produced, and possibly regarded as the best scooter ever made. The SX range retained most styling features of the TV 175/ 200 Series III which preceded it. The bodywork however was more angular and streamlined than that of the preceding LI models. Like the TV Series III, the headset housed a keyed ignition/ light switch in the space that the standard LI had a simple kill switch. The SX200 had improved performance and gearing over the previous TV200 models. The SX is the quintessential Lambretta, they are extremely prized by collectors and the SX200 with its own uniquely styled panels and powerful motor is the absolute top of the scooter tree.
This early production example was sold new by Kens Motorcycles of Newcastle on July 12th 1966 (co-incidentally on the 57th anniversary of the day date of this auction). It is also interesting to see that the original green log book has an amendment stating that the engine was a 225cc machine. It was then purchased by a company T. Cowie Ltd before being passed to private individuals from 1968 Derek Phillips then David Brandling and in 1973 to a Donald Curtis. There is a 1974 tax disc supplied and this could have been the last time it was on the road during its first part of life. After a long time off the road it was purchased and restored in 2016 by a Stuart Wilson who was able to retain the original registration number from the DVLA and it was he who sold it in recent times to our vendor.
Using the original engine the scooter has been substantially upgraded for performance and is now powered by an RT230 top end using a JB crank with adjusted 4 speed gear ratios and a 30mm carburettor. The whole mechanics were recently tuned and balanced by John Balcombe and the scooter currently has a reported power output of 17HP and rides smoothly. The electrics have also been upgraded to a 12V (80W) BGM quality system. The scooter is presented well with the original ‘Kens Motorcycles’ dealer plate and in our opinion in an attractive colour scheme. There is a Cuppini sprint rack and a spare wheel with cover and handlebar mounted side mirror. The scooter is also supplied with the original front mudguard metal side registration plates and a substantial amount of bills for parts of the restoration done in 2016. The original airbox is also supplied should the new owner wish to revert back to standard type carburation.
