Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1967 Lambretta SX200 ‘Grimstead Imperial’
One owner from new
Estimate
£9, 500 - £11, 500
Registration: KKT 283A
Frame No: SXthe details below
Engine No: SXthe details below
MOT: Exempt
Purchased new from Eddy Grimstead in 1967 by our vendor
One owner from new
Exact matching numbers
British registered from new
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 where 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.
Eddy Grimstead was an East London scooter dealer and was one of the best in the 1960s at marketing scooters, producing several types of dealer specials with bold paint designs and accessories. The Lambretta Imperial and the Vespa Hurricane being two of the best-known.
This mid-production example was spotted by our vendor, an original Essex Mod, in Eddy Grimstead’s shop in East Ham, London brand new in 1967, when he was 17 years old. At the time he had a TV175 but was smitten by the new SX200s he saw outside the Grimstead shop. He also recalls watching an old man sitting on an orange box swiftly applying pin striping to a row of Lambrettas outside on the pavement at the front of the shop. He immediately purchased one of these ‘Imperials’ with its chrome side panels and front mudguard with pin striping and special paint design. On leaving the shop we are told he was chased by one of the salesmen and told to slow down as he still needed to run it in. Some original photographs are supplied with the lot showing this actual scooter, and also with the vendor’s girlfriend at the time, outside the shop where it was bought at the time.
Having owned the scooter for 56 years, our vendor has finally decided to part with it as it does not get used. The scooter was restored by Roger Lucas of TAS scooters several years ago in the same colours and pin striping as the original except, on advice from the restorer, not with the chrome panels and front mudguard using white paint instead. The scooter was also converted to 12v electrics. However, still a standard 200cc engine with correct Dellorto SH1/ 20 carburettor. The paintwork still looks fresh and we noted that it appears that the original side panel badges were re-used as was the front leg shield school badge. The full set of original keys are present and the Giuliari seat is the original, but with a replacement cover. There are some interesting key rings which the vendor says are as old as the scooter, although he could not recall where they came from. The original tool roll is also supplied with the scooter. The scooter is adorned with a number of period style accessories in the style of the original Grimstead Imperial. The scooter has been regularly started periodically over the years although the last time being around 2 years ago. We were unable to see the scooter running although it had a good spark and turned over with good compression. We are informed that the scooter will be serviced before the auction. What we believe to be a genuine Grimstead Imperial, with matching numbers and available with a very attractive reserve in relation to the scooter market.
