JAMIE’S Lambro 450
Jamie Brown runs his own hardware store and thought it would be great to have purpose-built commercial transport in order for customers to identify him. Being a Lambretta enthusiast, his chosen vehicle had to be something along the lines of the Lambro vans and trucks from yesteryear. His choice soon started to turn heads when he’d finished the restoration.
Acurrent member of both Hull Drifters SC and the LCGB, Jamie remembers that he first got hooked on vintage scooters when he saw older kids riding around the Withernsea area during the late 1970s/early 80s. He first owned a Vespa 50 Special like so many 16-year-olds starting out in the scene and over the years he has owned a number of Lambrettas, with his personal favourite being the Mk3 LD.
THE LAMBRO PROJECT
Around four years ago, he purchased a Lambro 450, which was delivered to his door from Italy for the bargain price of £1500. It was a little rough and needed plenty of tender loving care, but the main thing was that it came complete and was much too cheap to pass up. After a couple of years of working on it on and off, all the rotten steel was cut out and replaced; it was at this point that the project finally started to come together.
Garrath Palmer at Tin Man Productions in Hull completed all the fabrication work and panel beating and I have to say it was a top-class job; the amount shown in the ‘before' photographs shows the task ahead and not a weld or cut is to be seen now the Lambro has been painted. The 175cc-powered motor was rebored and is now on its fourth oversize NOS Borgo piston and rings, complemented by a new crank plus all new bearings and seals. The Lambro's electric-start system had to be overhauled, so Jamie made his own modified version, along with the rewiring through the truck. Moving on to the bodywork, although a large number of the body panels were rotten the windscreen and door glass were both intact; these were carefully removed before repairing the panels. I asked Jamie if he had any tips for the scooterist taking on a challenge like this and his reply was to use 1mm slitting discs (ha, ha, it's his optimum tool for the job).
All the bodywork was restored and items replaced where necessary (like the NOS rear light units found by Jamie in Italy – he was amazed he found them, as they are things you usually can't find). The Lambro was then painted by Kenny at KB Paintshop in Hull; original models were painted in either a grey or green colour, so the vintage-looking light green chosen by Jamie suits the Lambro perfectly.
RAGGING AROUND
At the photo shoot, Jamie got in the little Lambro truck and pushed the button; then away it went on a route around his garden. Out on the road, however, the cruising/top speed of around 40mph is plenty, he says; plus it's a little unnerving to drive the Lambro at that pace.
With a superb restoration completed, it was only the Covid-19 pandemic that put paid to Jamie and wife, Lisa, travelling abroad in it during 2020. They had planned to ride it to the Dutch Lions September rally in Holland – but that will now have to wait until we are clear of restrictions before they can complete their road trip.
For those seeking advice about taking on a challenge like this, Jamie recommends listening to the advice given by experts – but also don't forget to think for yourself. Many said this project couldn't be done and this Lambro is proof that it obviously can.