Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
12th July, 2023 10:00
1966 Lambretta SX225 ‘BelAir 2’
One of only 2 BelAirs produced by Rimini Lambretta Centre
Estimate
£22, 000 - £24, 000
Registration: PUA 626D
Frame No: SXthe details below
Engine No: SXthe details below
MOT: Exempt
Extensive restoration 2013 by RLC proprietor Dean Orton - ‘hands on’
Many original 1970s motor parts and instruments
Impressive original accessories
Correct numbers
Unique
V5C stating 225cc for use on UK roads.
Many regard the SX200 to be the finest scooter Innocenti produced, and some might say 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.
Rimini Lambretta Centre was formed in Italy in 1994 by British scooter enthusiast Dean Orton and in 1995 then known as Adriatica Lambretta opened its first shop in a small seaside town just north of the city of Rimini. Quickly obtaining a reputation as a centre of excellence for quality Lambretta restorations the company moved into tuning, spare parts, and accessories for all models of Lambretta. With a professional team trained to apply fastidious attention to detail RLC has set the global bar for quality in the marque and is still an ever growing success today.
The BelAir 1 concept was first on the drawing board following the request of a British customer who was very specific in his demands. A ‘one-off’ 5-speed engine with left-hand exhaust exit and side hinging custom seat amongst a myriad of required innovations. An avid Italian collector had seen this scooter and demanded the same but with the stipulation that it had to be ‘even better’ as explained on the RLC website by creator Dean Orton. BelAir 2 was based on an early SX200 and used an original 1970s 225cc kit with an original Asso piston to power the motor and a genuine Royspeed sourced Amal Mk1. 5 30mm carburettor. With 180W Ducati 12v ignition and the custom-built left-hand exit 42mm reverse coned exhaust with clover leaf pipe detail. The gearbox was an original ‘60s 5 speed box with a competition clutch. A Chronometric Smiths speedometer was fitted into the handlebars. The rev counter positioned attractively on the Ulma-style leg shield toolbox incorporated a curved and sculpted cut-out on the toolbox lid and the cable enters the side of the polished crankcase in the style of the old ‘Rallymaster’ Lambrettas. The handlebar gear lever features 5 hand carved gear positions. The original disc brake utilised a more efficient reverse-pull system. With a side opening custom adapted Everest seat as in the first BelAir the choke lever is also located there. All over the scooter the fastenings appear correct and the attention to detail is impressive, with standard Innocenti parts put back to ‘as new’ as possible. The scooter has original keys all round for the lock, toolbox and ignition. The resultant performance is that of a very useable powerful scooter that even travelled across Greece in 2015.
Decoratively the quality paint is an industrial Green base with Metallic Black overlays and Corallo Red inner parts. Green pin-stripes overlay the chromed original Innocenti wheels. The custom-made SX225 badge is based on the original and the BelAir side panel badges compliment the model. The running in decal is a unique 5-speed version. The original accessories were chosen to compliment the style of the scooter and include Super footboard extensions, original double leg shield trim, sprint rack and original Indix fuel gauge. A Rimini Lambretta Centre custom restoration of this kind would come with an extremely challenging price tag and we believe that this scooter has a very sensibly priced estimate.
