Lot 101: 1966 Lambretta Li 150 Series 3

Frame no. 711547

Although best remembered these days as a 1960s style icon favoured by the fashion conscious ‘Mods’, the Lambretta motor scooter - together with Piaggio’s rival Vespa - had been intended as basic transport for the non-enthusiast masses. Manufactured by the Italian industrial giant Innocenti, the Lambretta gained instant acceptance in the immediate post-war years, its cleanliness and convenience in particular appealing to those who regarded the true motorcycle with suspicion. By the late 1950s, the scooter had begun to evolve into a larger and faster machine capable of two-up touring. Piaggio led the way with its 150 GS, to which Innocenti responded with the Lambretta TV 175. The latter was all new and incorporated innovations (for Lambretta) of enclosed chain drive and a four-speed gearbox. While the styling was an undisputed success, the engine proved troublesome and the first TV was a failure.

Following the unreliable TV 175 Series 1, Lambretta went back to the drawing board to create one of its all-time greats: the ‘Li’. Built as a 125 or 150, the classic Li used the bore/stroke dimensions of the preceding ‘D’ Series but housed its entirely new engine in modern bodywork similar to that of the TV. The Li twins subsequently underwent a series of styling alterations, the Series 3 offered here being readily distinguishable by the handlebar-mounted headlight and ‘slimline’ styling that is for many enthusiasts the definitive Lambretta look.

Restored in 2000, this Li 150 was purchased by the current owner in May of that same year from UK marque specialists Cambridge Lambretta Workshop and has seen little use since acquisition. We are advised that the engine was recently fitted with new ignition points and condenser, and that it runs well. Registered ‘JFL 167D’ in the UK, the machine is offered with Lambretta Club GB dating letter, UK Swansea V5 registration document and SORN.




Restauré en 2000, ce Li 150 a été acheté par son proprietaire actuel en mai de la même année auprès du specialiste de la marque Cambridge Lambretta Workshop et n’a été utilisé que très peu depuis. Nous avons été avises du recent montage d’une nouvelle carburation et d’un condensateur et que l’engin fonctionne très bien. Immatriculé ‘JFL 167D’ en Angleterre, ce scooter sera délivré avec une lettre du club Lambretta GB, son titre de circulation V5.