NEI T HER T HE F I RST, NOR T HE L AST. . .
Becoming the second owner of this LD Mk3 150 in 1960, Dr Anthony Bravery has had this Lambretta for more than 60 years. But it wasn’t until last year that he got it up and running again, after a lengthy lay-off. Dr Bravery recalled: “ODL 569 was first registered in June 1957 and the first known owner was Mr Roger Mathews of ‘The Fairway’, Sandown, Isle of Wight. Mr Mathews was at the time the golf professional at Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club. I bought ODL 569 from Roger Mathews in the summer of 1960 when I was aged 18.
“As a very popular holiday resort in the 1960s, there were plenty of seasonal jobs on the Isle of Wight during what was for me school summer holidays. As I graduated from my sports racing bicycle to the motor scooter, ODL 569 ferried me to and from my holiday jobs as well as recreationally ‘burning’ up and down Sandown seafront en route to and from the Sea Scout HQ where I and my peers spent most of our free time. My special girlfriend at this time was Julie (there had been others!) and five years later she was to become my wife! Her holiday job was at a beach kiosk along Sandown seafront and I regularly drove ODL 569 past to distract her from work! We made many trips locally on the island to and from the favourite beaches and sunbathing spots.
“In October 1961, having completed my A levels, I set off for my biological sciences degree course at Southampton University. With all my belongings in a large expanding suitcase strapped to the pannier on the back of ODL 569, I decided to take the shortest road route from home to Southampton. Accordingly, I drove from home to Sandown Station and ODL 569 and I then went by train to Ryde Pier Head, to transfer to the passenger ferry to Portsmouth Harbour. From the ferry we went again by train on to Portswood, Southampton. My final destination was Connaught student hall of residence just one mile from the station!
“For my first year at university, I used ODL 569 mostly for my threemile return daily trips to and from the biology department. However, during Rag Week, I and ODL 569 tore up and down the main street in Southampton with my friend and later to be brother-in-law on the pillion, with our academic gowns billowing out behind us like a couple of Draculas. One wonders whether the local ‘gendarmerie’ would be quite so tolerant these days! By the time of my second year at Southampton, Julie had begun work as a microbiologist at a pharmaceutical company in Havant and was living in Emsworth. This was a period when ODL 569 came into her own, ferrying me backwards and forwards the 50-mile round trip between Swaythling and Emsworth most weekends. These journeys were a freezing experience in the winter months despite the limited protection of a full windscreen – which kept folding back under the wind pressure and banging on my helmet!
“By the following year I had been able to afford to invest in my first car, a black side-valve Morris Minor (LLE 56) and this, of course, spelt the beginning of the end for regular use of ODL 569. In 1965 I graduated from university, Julie and I set up home in Buckinghamshire. ODL 569 came with us but apart from a few token outings in Thame and Longwick once we moved there in 1972, she lived her life quietly in the garage, warm and under cover – not used but still loved! Despite the best of intentions and strong sentimentality, realistically I was never going to bring her back on the road and use her so in March 2020 I entrusted her to a local friend and motorcycle specialist to make her roadworthy again. Re-registered with ‘historic’ status and with an engine overhaul, new road tyres and in good running condition, we made a few nostalgic outings locally before offering her for sale.
“It’s good to feel ODL 569 has gone to a new home where she is respected and to be restored to something approaching her former glory of the late 1950s/early 60s. Good luck old girl!”