Recalling the forgotten ones
Mention the Lambretta and Vespa and it’s always the popular models people remember, but what about the rest?
In any discussion about scooters it’s always the most popular models that get mentioned first. If it’s a Lambretta then the 200cc range consisting of the TV, SX and GP will find an admiring fan base, while for the Vespa it’s the GS, Rally or P range that will meet with approving nods. The other models barely reach the status of being second best, not just skimmed over but completely forgotten. At best they have a small number of die-hard enthusiasts carrying their torch in the darkness. Why is this? Both Innocenti and Piaggio produced many successful models and without them, the popular ones may not have existed. It seems we easily forget the rich history of what these companies produced. The question is whether we should remember them, particularly as many were cast aside as technology rendered them obsolete.
There’s no denying any type of vehicle will always be remembered if it pushed the boundaries of performance or design. While that’s fine for the likes of Ferrari, where everything they produce seems to push technology to new highs, with scooters most variants are humble in their function and practical in their design; perhaps that’s why the lesser models don’t get so much attention. Although the LD was the machine that pushed the Lambretta brand into the mainstream and mobilised nations across Europe it’s only recently that we’ve started to appreciate its charms. For decades they could hardly be given away.
The LD with its tiny power output and three-speed gearbox was never going to be a match for the mighty GP’s performance. Likewise when compared with the sleek lines of the Bertone-styled masterpiece the LD looks decidedly old-fashioned. However, without the LD and other similar models the GP would never have existed; the process of development was organic and happened over time. The same can be said with the early Vespa Rod models, they were no match against the GS, Rally and so on.
Part of the problem is scooters have always been regarded as a bit of a joke to the general motorcycling population. Show them a custom scooter that’s beautifully finished and highly tuned and they’ll easily be convinced otherwise. Pull up on a standard Vespa 50 Special and their prejudices will be instantly confirmed.
Even among scooterists it seems that some models will never make it in the popularity stakes. Although there’ll always be an enthusiast for even the most obscure machine one way to measure popularity is by looking at the prices a scooter commands. Although deep pockets are required for even the roughest TV200 a near mint Cento can be purchased for a couple of grand. Is this due to scooter snobbery? To a certain extent I think that’s true but I also believe that popularity is more likely due to nostalgia.
If we look at the world of Yamaha motorcycles the 50cc ‘Fizzy’ (FS1E) is still hugely popular, particularly in standard, unmolested form. The reason being that today’s R1 rider probably started as a teenager on the Fizzy and any chance to hark back to those times will be greatly cherished. The problem with scooters is that most of us didn’t start our riding careers on a basic model. Those of us that have been around since the early 80s were probably riding around on a cheap Li150 or Rally, even if it was illegal. Very few made what would have been the natural progression from a lesser-powered machine to a higher-powered one. I see frequent posts on social media: “My first scooter was a Rally 200, can’t wait to get one again,” or the like. I rarely read anything along the lines of “I had an LD125, the best Lambretta ever.” That’s the problem; most nostalgia trips go back to the better-performing models because that’s what most of us rode.
Thankfully time is becoming a healer of this phenomenon and slowly but surely the more obscure models are becoming more fashionable. People are beginning to appreciate their great design, fantastic engineering and period styling. Finally models such as the LD and Rod are getting the adulation they deserve. This isn’t just among scooterists, but the general public are now showing an interest in these humble machines. Hopefully this will make sure they’re never forgotten and can take their well-earned place in the history of scooters.
There’s no denying any type of vehicle will always be remembered if it pushed the boundaries of performance