Lambretta Li 150. A machine born out of need and stayed enough to set a fashion. After the second world war, the need for a cheap transportation vehicle was a big need in Italy and across Europe. After seeing his steel factory in ashes Ferdinando Innocenti, saw that need and set of to make it happen. After hiring Aeronautical Engineer General Corradino D'Ascanio a man that hated motorcycles to design a robust and affordable machine that was easy for men and women to drive, without getting their clothes dirty. Although he hated motorcycles he designed something revolutionary. Even though at the end D’Ascanio took his design to Enrico Piaggio, I am sure you are familiar with that surname, in 1947 the Lambretta hit the production for the first time.
But for me the Lambretta aged like fine wine. Instead of dying down and losing its hype over the years, it developed a strong following and became an icon. Even for people that are not into motorcycle’s they will recognise a Lambretta when they see one. With that being said the example that we feature today has quite the story to tell.
The current owner spotted the poor Lambretta that was left to die behind a house. With out even thinking about it he went and gave the door a knock with the hopes that he will get his hands on this Italian icon. As you imagined, his hopes became a reality and even exited his expectations when the owner of the Lambretta just gave him the title without asking for a dime. Yes you ‘ve read that right. Talk about scoring! With a free Lambretta in his hands the owner was stoked about starting this restoration. But soon enough that excitement would turn to a doubt when further examination had shown that…
The engine was locked, and the frame along with the panels, was almost too far gone to be rescued. Still he gave a shot at sandblasting and everything turned out way better than expected. After that it was just a matter of a few layers of paint and lots of chrome plating.
Having sourced and restored all the bits and pieces it was time to tackle the seized 150cc engine and start the assembly process. Which included some well, interesting let’s say Italian electronics.
As you can judge from the photos, this restoration took place in another era. When to source parts you couldn’t just go on eBay, you had to know a guy that knows a guy… I guess that’s the period that you had to be a true enthusiast to do stuff like this-in Cyprus anyway-
After a heavy dose of OEM extras such as the spare wheel, and the split seats the transformation was completed. This icon was ready to hit the city streets in pure Italian style. With its vintage styled paint job and iconic design no wonder this machine can turn heads the same way it did 58 years ago!
Words: Odysseas Sophocleous
Owner: Stelios Demetriou
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