In the 21st century a brand new, 4-speed, classic 2-stroke powered Lambretta is a rare sight to behold. But we’ve got one for you in the brand new edition 30 (March/April 2022) of ScooterNova magazine.
Not content with that, we also have one of the first autolube Vespa scooters ever produced, a Sprint that was registered here in England back in 1968 by Douglas Motorcycles of Bristol. So hands up all those Vespa riders who thought that autolube only arrived with the P-range models in the 70s and 80s, hey? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one!
By the way, the cover of the latest ScooterNova magazine is of the very same 1968 Vespa featured inside, the same photograph originally appearing on Scootering & Lightweights magazine back in 1968 and used with kind permission of Peter Lumley, who was the man behind that very magazine.
Edition 30 also includes some fine custom scooters such as this Lambretta GP, Agony to Ecstasy, owned and built by scooter racer Justin and using an engine that came second in the Pro-Race class at the British Endurance last Spring.
The other pair of custom Lambrettas are the rebuilt GP Twister, back after being written-off by it’s owner during a scooter-riding event a few years ago (most certainly ridden, not hidden!), and this eye-catching cutdown/ chopper, named Room 101 for all the reasons you would.
Back in 1951 if you wanted a 125cc commuter, then you had a variety of options including a MV Agusta and a Lambretta Model D, but which was the better option? In edition 30 we look at both to decide what the wise money may have have purchased.
Moving on to the 1960s, and Vittorio Tessera looks at the birth of the Baby Lambretta along with the rivals that helped its conception.
In the 1970s the Who’s rock opera Quadrophenia was made into a film, and with a Mod revival happening at the time of it’s launch the British scooter scene exploded. Not many reading this won’t have seen the film, but ScooterNova has a story of what it was like to be part of the film behind the scenes, and what happens when the wrong scooter turns up on set.
Of course in the film Sting was supposed to ride a Vespa GS. Not only did they dress up the wrong scooter for him, but it arguable didn’t look anywhere near as good as this actual GS does.
And if you like a modern scooter but with classic lines, check this article out for an auto-conversion. It looks, sits and rides like an old Lambretta, but uses a more modern Piaggio automatic engine. How neat is that?
If you are a sentimental type, then this tale of two Italian scooters reuniting in Belgium will get you going. While for those with looking for a Lambretta smallblock kit to fit, we test ride the new Scuderia Lambretta Veloce 198cc kit and let you know what we think.
As always, we have all this and more in ScooterNova magazine, including a road trial around Wales, product reviews, news and selected adverts that suit the scooterists we all are. It is another 100 pages of scooters from cover to cover.
The March/April edition 30 of ScooterNova is available now from all good scooter shops both in the UK and abroad, or via mail order from our secure online shop. Click here for more details.
And if you would like to subscribe and receive the magazine delivered to your door on a regular basis, click this link here for details or call us on +44 7840 861382 during office hours.
