Still Alive from ’65 The Grand Tourer
Already the owner of two very well known scooters, Phil wanted to build something he could call his own. Starting with a pallet of rusty bits, this beautiful Lambretta is the end result.
In from 1963 Innocenti bowed to pressure Peter Agg, then director of the UK’s and Lambretta importer and Concessionaire, of others to build alarger capacity version model for their flag ship Lam brett a TV17 5cc the same body the power hungry UK market. It had from asmall styling as its predecessor, and apart script on the chrome badge below the Lambretta badge in the front leg shields, and a revised plastic (both displaying rear alloy grill below the dual seat ‘anorak’ to TV200) it would take apretty good distance. decipher the difference at any reasonable power unit; The main change was the upgraded for this had been the main bone of contention higher Innocenti not building a bigger capacity/ felt the extra performance machine before. They increase capacity would lead to an unacceptable failure in vibration which could lead to premature in the steel of engine parts and stress fractures today’s body parts –not that this would bother than simply ‘speed freak’ scooter boy! Rather for anew cylinder re-engineering the mounting face engine block, they chose to cast a completely new barrel stud area. with increased metal around the preceding Slightly different in profile to the on the GT and 150/175 models, it was only used engines very early SX 200 models –the later the smaller sharing the same profile shape as gasket face of capacity blocks but with the larger with the barrels the 200 models. Taking a gamble Innocenti port timing and high ratio gearbox, performance hoped to build amore relaxed high than arev touring nature into the scooter rather what the hungry race machine which is exactly Quoted power tuners of the day were so eager for. at figures for the GT were auseful 10.75hp the 175TV 5700rpm, two ‘horses’ more than and with 400 more rpm. roughly Throughout the production run of there were 15,000 GTs between 1963 and 1965 of which were surprisingly few alterations, most continuity rather contemporary with production line style panels gave than being model specific.The Li range of series way to those fitted to the Special style cable IIIs, forks changed from the S2 wired elongated return tidy to the pressed steel item, the trimmed back and below the rear number plate was ring between the late models even lost their chrome headset and horn cast. to the So after that history lesson we come Owned by Phil beautiful restoration you see here. as a pallet Jeffries, it was acquired in April 2015 end rebuilds, of parts for £4500! Phil loves high ‘classics’ so much so he already owns several And Reflections including the S2 TV175 Shadows once belonging and the ‘Golden’ SX200 Fred once belonging Perry sir to a certain gold medal Olympian! Both of these
were already ‘built’ when he got them though and he always wanted to design his own restoration from the ground up. So with the basic pallet of rusty parts he hatched an idea to build a clean period looking machine using the best parts and professionals he could find.
Now although he wanted to keep the look very 60s and in line with the Grand Tourer ideal, he decided to bring the engine right up to date. First the bodywork was despatched to Clint at Classic Perfections in Barnham, West Sussex; to get the look he wanted. They decided on an Old English white base with tasteful black/gold detailing and period features – I must say it is very nice and understated! The engine then went to Pro Design in Littlehampton for Roger to carry out his magic! A race/road ported BGM RT 230 kit was used with 60mm crank Jap con rod, 30mm Dellorto carb, BGM inlet manifold, BGM exhaust, AF six-plate clutch and TV200 gearing. Probably a little over the top but the GT/TV was always a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing! He had already used Disco Dez at Gran Sport for previous work on his machines so decided he was the man to bring his dream together. It took around a year and near on £10k to finish. Since completion it has been fully set up by Roger on his dyno and gives a very useable 18bhp. Phil is very happy with the final package and it has already picked up not only Best Lambretta but also Best in Show at its first outing last month!
Word & Photographs: Dave O.