Highlights
- Sympathetically rebuilt around 2009.
- Just six miles since rebuild.
- Built for cruising, not for bruising
The Appeal
With just 8.25 horsepower, the Innocenti Lambretta Li150 is more a muted gelding than Italian stallion. Still, just as much fun can be had with these diminutive scooters as with those two-wheelers boasting many more horses. The popularity of genuinely historic scooters is increasing rapidly and now is the time to bag an iconic, two-wheeled bargain just in time for summer.
Incidentally, the Li 150 ‘Special’ was introduced in 1963 as a sportier alternative to the ‘regular’ Li 150. The compression ratio was increased by 0.5:1 giving the special 8.25bhp over the standard 150's 6.6bhp. All heady stuff, indeed!
Humour aside, it is important to keep classic scooters like this on the road and to encourage the next generation to continue to do so. You can’t beat seeing a child waving or smiling at your jolly two-wheeler as you phutter along and saying it’s cool and hoping they draw inspiration from it sometime in their future.
The History and Paperwork
- Dry-stored, unused since acquisition.
- V5 certificate in current keeper’s name.
This smart and tidy Innocenti Lambretta Li 150 Special was totally and sympathetically restored around 2009, but languished in storage, unused, unloved and unregistered until its acquisition by the current keeper in November, 2019 at which point is was registered and received its heritage BTL 191B plates.
Sadly, the prospects for this little Italian gem didn’t improve as anticipated by the current keeper as – due to ill-health – the scooter has continued to be unused and dry-stored, with just six miles added to the new odometer since its rebuild nearly 13 years ago.
Due to the scooter’s non-use, the new keeper will essentially need to have the scooter fully checked over and recommissioned where required. Low mileage is commendable in most instances, but the enemy of bushes, rubber tyres and other consumable parts is, of course…time.
Accompanying the scooter will be the V5 Certificate in the current keeper’s name, a small file of relevant paperwork of servicing, parts and documents pertaining to provenance.
The Condition
- Fully rebuilt using genuine parts.
- Elegant presented in period white and black.
- Tidy and unblemished exterior.
This Lambretta Li150 Special is in very good condition all-round. The white body and contrasting black side panels offer an eye-catching colour scheme.
Having been ridden a paltry six miles since restoration over twelve years ago, the paint is in excellent condition all-round and the footboards present as new, as does the new leather-clad seat and handlebar grips.
Some of the original fittings salvaged from the rebuild, such as the Innocenti badges and named ‘Lambretta’, ‘Lambretta Li 150’ and ‘Special’ chrome work, now display a hint of patina but still look very sharp. Three brand new Schwalbe tyres clad the road wheels and spare, which is mounted on an elegant chromed stand behind the rider.
Hop onto the brand new seat and you’re transported back to the mid 1960’s. If ‘I’m Into Something Good’ by Herman’s Hermits was to become your earworm, our forgiveness would be instant!
The Mechanics
- Two original keys.
- Rarely used since 2009.
At the photo location, the Lambretta Li150 Special failed to fire-up. However, we were assured by the current keeper that the scooter has been fired up several times in his charge – but not had the need to for some time. Accordingly, we are unable to verify this scooter’s running condition since the rebuild.
As intimated above and due to the scooter’s non-use in recent years, the new keeper would be well-advised to have the scooter fully checked over and recommissioned where required – with safety and reliability at the forefront of any commissioned work. Contacts within the Lambretta Club of Great Britain should be able to assist in that regard.
Summary
Based in Milan, the Lambretta Li 150 and 150 Specials were made by Italian manufacturer Innocenti from 1963-69. The Li 150 Special came first in September 1963 and was introduced to help cope with the demand for faster scooters, while staying as a 150cc by having a new barrel, head and reworked gearbox.
Scooters of any ilk have always been a fun way of getting around and perhaps the best it gets is when riding to the coast with a cluster of fellow ‘scooterrati’, just as was frequently done in the ’60s and ’70s and spending the day on the promenade.
Lambretta aficionados are well catered-for with numerous and regular ride-outs up and down the country. In addition, membership to the Lambretta Club of Great Britain is open to everyone with historic, current and future interest in the scooter lifestyle and its more than 5,000 active members are as knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic as they come.
If you’ve always fancied reliving Quadrophenia, it’s never too late. G’won, pop on a cheeky bid…you know you want to!
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