1959 Lambretta TV175 Series 2 Ridgeback

Registration No: MAS 857
Frame No: 175TV2*104329
Engine No: 175TV2*104390
CC: 175
MOT: Exempt

• Largely original and very presentable
• Regularly maintained
• Running very well
• V5C for use on UK roads

The Lambretta TV175 Series 2 was launched in October 1959. It had an engine based on the Li150 series but with an increased capacity and the crankshaft, barrel, piston and gearbox ratio were changed. The front forks were fitted with external shock absorbers. The rear plate and fork links were redesigned to cope with the extra power. The TV175 models were originally fitted with a Veglia 120 km/h speedometer face and a dual seat. They also had an ignition key switch and BECME control switch. The ‘Lambretta’ and ‘TV175’ side panel badges were attached to the panels with small nuts as opposed to the riveted badges on the Series 2 Li panels. Often referred to as the ‘Tourer’ or ‘Sportsman’s scooter’ it had superb performance at the time and coupled with beautiful styling and has been hugely sought after for many years by collectors. The first few thousand produced had a welded ridge to further strengthen the frame which ran the length of the frame tube and these are even more desirable.

This very original early production genuine ‘Ridgeback’ example appears to have been sold new in The Netherlands where our vendor purchased it privately. He imported it into the UK when he relocated back here and the V5C states 2003 as the first UK registration date. We were impressed to see that almost all of the mechanical parts are indeed the original components. The scooter is still on 6v points and is still a 175 although the piston was replaced with an original part as we can see in the supplied bills from AF Rayspeed. The ignition with half-moon and control switch are original as is the km/h speedometer and all of the badges on the scooter without exception. The floor runners, electronics and carburettor are also all original to the scooter. The rear shock absorber is also the original and was rebuilt by LEDA at considerable expense. The paint on first appearance looks original as it has a pleasant patina but we noted that it has been blown over in most places very long ago in the correct Tyrrhenian Blue. The scooter has had a full service this year at South West scooters with a new clutch fitted at the time. The vendor has done his best to keep the scooter as original as possible, whilst still maintaining it for the road and there have been minimal interventions. Our consultant was able to see the scooter running well and he also rode it at the time of consignment.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Diamond
info@vintagescooters.co.uk
07768 313001