MAN & MACHINE
Name: Nigel Hetherington (Cain) Scooter club & town: GT Yarmouth Wasps SC First interested in scooters: Early ’80s First scooter: Vespa 90 Favourite style of custom scooter: No favourite style, but some of my fave scooters are Sonic Dream, Splinter, Coke street racer, Spirit Walker, and SX200 42 (Stuart Owens) First rally or event: GT Yarmouth
Name of scooter: Eddy Grimstead Imperial Scooter model: TV 200 Date purchased/cost: About 1993 for £300 Inspiration for project: I saw a Grimstead advert in an old Scooter and Lightweight magazine, and decided that was what I wanted Time to build/by who: The restoration took about a year on and off. The second time took three months. I always build my own Any specialised parts: Headset top, dashboard, oil tank, seat rail/carrier, rev counter mount and fittings. All made by myself Engine spec: Case: TV 200. Flywheel: AF mid weight. Exhaust: TSR Evo with a Taylor Tuning carbon can. Clutch: 4 plate with heavier springs Gearbox: GP 200. Carb: Dellorto 30mm Dyno: saw (ha, ha), yes 27hp and 18 torque Any other unique details: Me… lol. It has matching frame and engine numbers, meaning that this frame and engine were paired up at the factory. I also have all the original keys and a full spare set, the buff logbook, and receipt of sale for the first owner. It turned out that the first owner lived two doors down from my aunt in Crawley. She knew him and remembers the scooter. Then by chance, 29 years later, I bought it off a bloke in Brentwood. Small world! Paintwork & murals done by: Kas Racepaint Is there anyone you wish to thank: Lisa my lovely wife, Richard Tyrell, Martyn (Drakey) Drake, Anglia Scooters, Sash Lowestoft, Lambretta workshop, and Paula.
rear Sebring rack has been replaced with a seat grab rail and rack combo. I've also made and added a chrome forced air scoop for the front disc brake, which was a popular(ish) modification on late ’60s competition and racing scooters.”
Cain has the provenance of this particular GT200 Lammy. There was only one previous owner, who was based in Crawley, close to Eddie Grimstead's southeast London base in the ’60s. His spec sheet provides more information regarding the Lambretta's past.
As to any further changes planned, apart from some braising and a blow-over of the paint panels, he’s looking for a new seat. He has been in contact with a couple of seat fabricators and is currently weighing up his options. “I've got several other ideas on the go. One is the false cable off the rev-counter. It'd be good to have it running properly. There’s no immediate rush, because all things happen in good time. Should I ever want to go back to standard, however unlikely that may be, the frame and engine numbers match.”
It may be Cain’s 25th anniversary for owning the Lambretta, but putting that landmark to one side, this Grimstead Imperial-inspired replica has been evolving ever since he took ownership. This outstanding ‘60s GT 200is more than able of coping with the rigours of being ridden regularly today. Words: Sarge
Photographs: Gary Chapman