Lambretta three-wheelers

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The original Lambretta three-wheeler available for purchase was the FB model which commenced production in 1949. There was an A model referred to in earlier catalogues, but it's not thought that any were actually available to purchase, as these were likely to have been prototypes.

Lambretta used a simple method of naming for their earlier three-wheelers. The 'F' in the first model refers to ‘furgone' (the Italian word for van); so the FB was the ‘B Series van'. Lambretta produced B, C and D Series three-wheelers (FB, FC, FD) between 1949 and 1959. In 1957, Lambretta also started producing their FD three-wheelers with a cab (Italian for cab is ‘cabina'), giving us the FDC model.

The Li 175 Series 1 produced in 1959 and 1960 was the first Lambretta threewheeler to be named after its engine capacity. One of the developments was a larger engine size (increase of 25cc to 175cc) – hence its inclusion in the name. Innocenti launched the Lambretta Li 175 Series 2 in 1960, featuring improvements in driver comfort such as a much larger cab.

In 1963 the Lambro 200 came into production, running alongside the Li 175 Series 2; it featured another engine capacity increase of 25cc to a 200cc engine, plus larger wheels and the fork direction was changed. In September 1963, shortly after the launch of the Lambro 200, the Li 175 became the Lambro 175. Technically they are almost identical to the Series 2, but featured a chassis prefix change. This change in the model is the first of the Lambro ‘ranges' that Innocenti produced for the coming years.

The Lambro 550 was produced from August 1965 as a replacement for the Lambro 200. The method of naming the Lambro by engine size was replaced by the amount of weight it could carry. Lambretta continued running two models alongside each other by producing the Lambro 450 from October 1965, to replace the Lambro 175. The 450 still featured the iconic single headlight and was fitted with the smaller 175cc engine; the 550 was produced with twin headlights (for safety) and the larger engine. The carrying compartment for both models was increased in line with demand for carrying larger loads.

Around 1967, Lambretta began manufacturing the 550N. Although similar in looks to the 550, the engine was now located outside the cab for noise reduction purposes. For anyone who's had the pleasure of driving/riding an earlier Lambro, you'll know how much of an improvement this was to the design – and the general comfort of the driver! In 1968 the 550A was introduced alongside the 550N. This model had a longer back; the extra weight of the extended back decreased the load capacity marginally of the 550A compared with the 550N. In the same year, Lambretta also introduced a replacement for the 450 in the form of the 500L. In similar fashion to the 450, the 500L had a 175cc engine and a smaller loading area than the 550N, although the enhancements of the twin headlights and the new location of the engine outside the cab appeared in this model.

In 1969 the Lambro underwent its ‘facelift'; it was the first time the cab introduced for the Series 2 F Li 175 was changed in design. Lambretta produced three new models of Lambro – 550V, 550M and 500ML – all featuring the new, more angular cab design to ensure it was keeping up with modern automobile design.

The 550V was available with a steering wheel; 550M with traditional handlebars; and the 500ML (the last to be introduced) was a lighter and cheaper version designed for export. The launch of this range saw the Lambro move even further away from its roots as a scooter and more towards a car. Driver comfort and space were important considerations in this range, with heaters, sprung seats and an improved braking system.

In 1970 the 600M and 600V were launched, with handlebars on the M and a steering wheel on the V. The 600M and 600V were exactly the same as the 550M and 550V; their launch was simply a name change. Innocenti produced the 600M until November 1971 and the 600V until January 1972.