Lambretta TV/LI Series 1

Vittorio Tessera, Giorgio NADA Editore ISBN9788879117159 With Vittorio Tessera’s name on a Lambretta book, you know it’s going to be both accurate and informative, and is certain to contain the definitive information on whichever Innocenti model the subject matter happens to be. This coffee table-sized publication, albeit in paperback format, is packed to overflowing with all manner of interesting, enlightening as well as, in some cases, jaw-dropping items included. With Innocenti design drawings on page 17, there’s a detailed engineering drawing of the Innocenti horn cast badge, plus the Innocenti-designed, turning front mudguard, which was originally intended for the Series 1 TV model, but which was eventually licensed to Lambretta Locomociores SA in Spain for their Eibar Series 2 (page 47), and there’s also plenty of design drawings in this book. Photograph-wise, amongst the multitude of superb images are a series of colour pictures of the TV175 Series 1 prototype, and several images of various S1 LI and YV machines/part machines that had been cut away to show inner parts and workings. Towards the end of the book is a photograph of the headset of a prototype Series 2, incorporating both a speedometer and a rev counter.

The LI S1 was marketed as a Milano in Sweden. Given that there’s an ever-growing market for period accessories, there’s a section in this book dedicated to them, and even including an overview of early S1 English-made Nannucci items with accompanying illustrations. Its a dual-language book with text in Italian and English. With the popularity of Series 1 ‘Fatboy’ Lambrettas on the rise, this is a timely, as well as essential, book from Vittorio, covering the Series 1 Lambrettas, of which the launch marked the end of the run of the previous shaft-drive engined scooters, and simultaneously marking the evolutionary point when what is perceived as the advent of the classic Lambretta scooter began.