INNOCENTI T V200 LAMBRETTA

Without the persistence of Lambretta Concessionaires managing director Peter Agg the 200cc version of the TV175 Series 3 might never have been produced. Innocenti’s flagship model, the TV175 Series 3, was introduced in 1962 and came with an internal front disc brake as standard. It also had wider engine mounting blocks and a new crankcase for the larger top end set up.

Its top speed wasn’t enough for British Lambretta riders though. Events such as Isle of Man scooter week and the advent of high speed regularity trial (an early form of scooter racing), especially at circuits such as Snetterton, where top speed was all important, led to a clamour for more power from the British. In Dickensian tradition, Agg took a metaphorical begging bowl to Innocenti asking, ‘Please sir, can I have some more?’ At first, the Italians refused point blank and told him that if the Brits wanted a faster machine they should go buy a motorbike! Unfazed, Agg persisted until they relented – albeit with conditions. Lambretta Concessionaires had to guarantee the model, as it would only be produced for the British market.

After arriving in the UK, the TV200 proved very popular. Superb acceleration along with a top speed never seen before on a production Lambretta being two of the factors. As Innocenti suspected, there were a few issues unique to the TV200 – the main ones being excessive vibration and exhaust silencers that fell off. However, solutions were found and implemented by Lambretta Concessionaires.

The scooter is widely known in the UK as the GT200, even though the various incarnations were only ever badged TV200. Once established in Britain, the TV200 became a proper production model, with a total just shy of 15,000 made in Italy. Sarge