Vespa and Lambretta remain the two most iconic motor scooter brands, even four decades after the latter's demise. But what made them such a European sensation in the postwar era? And why were they particularly popular in Britain in the 1950s and '60s? Motor scooter expert Stuart Owen explains the rise of Innocenti's Lambretta and Piaggio's Vespa, from the wartime ruins of Italy, through years of plenty as the two manufacturers exploited a ready market for affordable, economic transport, and then their decline into more uncertain times as motor cars trespassed on their success. He also explores the rich history of accessorising and customising the scooters, their essential role in the mod movement, and the revival in Vespa's fortunes following the release of the cult film Quadrophenia.
This charming book, packed with unique artwork and engaging photographs, celebrates scooter mania. In a feast of nostalgia, it takes us through the evolution of the scooter, focusing naturally on all things Lambretta and Vespa, but also covering plenty of obscure and eccentric machinery along the way. Scooter enthusiasm in all its forms receives generous attention, whether as fashion accessory for fifties movie stars, style-conscious transport choice for the Mod generation, or object of worship for today's retro-loving adherents. Scooters take off: rising from the rubble of post-war Italy, Piaggio emerged first with its Vespa (meaning 'wasp'), soon followed by Innocenti and its Lambretta (named after a Milan suburb). Evolution: numerous Lambretta and Vespa models over the years are illustrated and explained, accompanied by a look at the myriad accessories available for them. Not just in Italy: a survey of classic-era scooters from Britain (such as Brockhouse Corgi, Sun Wasp and Triumph Tigress), Germany (such as Glas Goggo, Zündapp Bella and Heinkel Tourist), Japan (such as Fuji Rabbit, Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon and Honda Juno) and elsewhere. Mod culture: emerging in the sixties and entwined with music and fashion, it made a unique contribution to scooter fandom that has since embraced the globe. Scooters as classics: the resurgence of interest since the late seventies and all that has come with it, from restoration and racing to customising and clubs. Scooter tales worldwide: Cesare Bataglini's round-the-world Lambretta odyssey; Mod revivalists in Tokyo; elderly scooters soldiering on in Africa; Indonesia's Rebel Riders and their crazy Vespa-derived creations; scaling Ben Nevis on a Lambretta; and much more. Quotes in the book such as "The scooters, clothes and music -- an unforgettable time of my life" and "Exciting, fun and carefree days when anything seemed possible" sum up the enduring appeal of classic scooters. Anyone afflicted with the obsession will adore this book.
This book investigates Vespa restoration in detail. The author strips and rebuilds largeframe models in his workshop, outlining common problems and how to address them. Aimed at the do-it-yourself enthusiast and featuring almost 900 photographs, it is an essential step-by step-guide to the complete renovation of your beloved largeframe scooter.
This large-format color book is the first English-language volume to celebrate the entire spectrum of scooters, from the Abbotsford to the Zweirad Union. Iconic scooters from Lambretta and Vespa naturally feature, but the book’s scope is a much broader alphabetical journey via makes such as the Csepel, Febo, Cianca, Husqvarna, Kaptein, Rumi, and a host of other famous and not so well-known names. Beautifully presented and packed with information, this authoritative study covers more than 300 makes, with plenty of engaging oddballs along the way.
Stop! Don’t buy a classic Vespa without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Learn how to spot a bad scooter quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right classic Vespa at the right price!
At last! A year-on-year account of the Isle of Man International Scooter Rally, including competitors and organiser's personal experiences, and the controversies and difficulties experienced by the Rally Committee in what became a remarkable, 20-year chapter in the history of scootering sport. Events included endurance and navigational trials, hill climbs, scrambling, gymkhana competitions, circuit and closed road racing, assembly rallies and sand racing. Supported by 180 images from the period.
The motor scooter, so familiar a sight on the streets of cities throughout the world, can trace its ancestry back to the early years of the Twentieth century, but it really came into its own after the Second World War. In Italy the Piaggio company launched the Vespa that quickly became a byword for quick, cheap and chic urban personal transport. The Lambretta soon followed, along with dozens of rival scooters from manufacturers all over Europe, North America and Japan, including some famous names as Ducati, Heinkel, Triumph, Puch, Honda and Harley-Davidson.
Vespa and Lambretta remain the two most iconic motor scooter brands, even four decades after the latter's demise. But what made them such a European sensation in the postwar era? And why were they particularly popular in Britain in the 1950s and '60s? Motor scooter expert Stuart Owen explains the rise of Innocenti's Lambretta and Piaggio's Vespa, from the wartime ruins of Italy, through years of plenty as the two manufacturers exploited a ready market for affordable, economic transport, and then their decline into more uncertain times as motor cars trespassed on their success. He also explores the rich history of accessorising and customising the scooters, their essential role in the mod movement, and the revival in Vespa's fortunes following the release of the cult film Quadrophenia.
Scooter sales had already peaked in Britain by the mid-1960s - led by the likes of the Lambretta and Vespa. Originally designed as transportation for commuters, the scooter came to be seen more as a vehicle for leisure. Ownership shifted to the younger generation and their appetite for speed and power was insatiable. Shops appeared offering performance tuning services for the first time and a new era of scootering dawned. Production of the Lambretta ceased in 1971 and although Vespa survived, the scooter scene went underground during the 1970s. The passion for tuning continued to flourish however and the release of Quadrophenia inspired a new wave of devotees going into the 1980s. Companies began investing heavily and the introduction of the TS1 cylinder kit for the Lambretta and the T5 Vespa by Piaggio took the tuning scene in a new direction. Now the pure Lambretta and Vespa street racer came to the forefront. Owners were prepared to blow huge budgets and their stunning creations took these machines to a new level. Today there is continued investment from manufacturers and competition is still strong as the Lambretta and Vespa Street racer scene continues to thrive. In Lambretta & Vespa Street Racers, author Stuart Owen traces the development of scooter tuning down the decades using dozens of rare period images and highlighting every significant technological milestone along the way. The different but inseparable stories of both Lambretta and Vespa tuning are told in full with compelling insight and expert knowledge.
