OWNER DETAILS
Name: Maic Tilch.
Job: Engineer of chemistry for colours, paints and coatings. Scooter club & town: Jetsons Lambretta Club.
First interest in scooters: First interest in scooters when I was 15 so my parents gave the first PX to me as a present for my 16th birthday in 1989.
First scooter: Vespa PX80.
Favourite scooter model: Any Series 3 Lambretta, and the SS50/90 small-frame Vespa.
Favourite style of custom scooter: I love sporty looking Lambretta scoots in every possible style from the 1960s onwards.
First rally or event: Eurovespa Kreuzlingen, Switzerland in 1990. How did you get there: Riding my PX80 Vespa. Yeah! (My parents followed in their car. Doh! Well I was sweet 16…)
Favourite and worst rally/event: No worst rally at all. Today I love to meet people from all over the country to have a few beers and a good time together. My favourite rally was IoW in 2007 or 2009. Too long ago. What is the funniest experience with a scooter: Getting caught by the police without helmet and licence plate. We had a funny discussion then when I told them: “Wow yes – you are right. That´s unbelievable! What is going on here?!” What’s the furthest you’ve ever ridden on a scooter: 700km from Stuttgart to Hamburg in one day during the 90s.
What do you like about rallies: In the past I went to the rallies and runs to see new customised scoots. Today the people are much more important. We are getting older you know.
What do you dislike about rallies: Nothing. I am happy that people are still motivated to organise events like runs, parties, all-nighters…
Favourite custom scooter of all time: F1 Benetton Lambretta painted by Pfeil-Design in the 1990s and the Virtual Reality Lambretta owned by Oli (Scooter Center Cologne). Both Peter’s AF Trialmaster 110 SS replica and his Jochen Rindt Lotus small-frame Vespa. If you had to recommend one scooter-related item what would it be:
Semi-modern anti dive hydraulic disc brakes based on standard Lambretta drums provided by MMW for BGM Scooter Center, Jockeys Boxenstop and LTH.
all the other colours afterwards. The decision was made to leave the front end white – that way, all of the racing graphics would stand out far more. There was a lot to fit in – more than 10 in total – and correct spacing was essential so as not to look too cluttered. Most logos are on the front mudguard and the bottom of the legshields, with the bigger name going across the entire length of both sides and through the horncasting. The result is impressive and, when lined up against the car it’s replicating, is just as good.
The blue and red lines would be saved for the side panels but rather than just be isolated there they cleverly continue through the footboards. Done at a diagonal angle this leaves two white areas either side which is perfect for the extra logos to stand out on. The final clever standout feature is with the wheels. On the M3 the spoked alloy wheels look dominating. Maic has used chrome rims and got the spoke effect on the hubs simply by using a clever latticework effect with the paint. Even close up they give the same look and effect as the M3 wheels.
When you've got it right
The small finishing touches such as the rear frame badge and the redesigned speedo face make it look the real thing. Fitting small badges with the M3 logo on the front and rear of the machine gives that extra feel. With the clever use of adding colour co-ordinated anodised fixings, you almost begin to believe BMW themselves have created this Lambretta. There is no doubt that Maic has got this tribute spot on and, dare I say it, as good as the original. Though he may not have the funds to buy a genuine M3, what he has created with an LI series Lambretta is simply stunning.
Words: Stu Owen
Photographs: Maic Tilch