1959 Lambretta TV175 Series 2 Ridgeback
British registered from new

Registration No: 47 RPU
Frame No: 175TV2*103167
Engine No: 175TV2*103259
CC: 186
MOT: Exempt

• Transferable registration number
• Restored and ready to be enjoyed
• Running very well (ATOC) with innovative upgrades
• 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 British sold TV175 models were originally fitted with a Veglia 70mph speedometer face and a dual seat. 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 extremely presentable early production genuine ‘Ridgeback’ example was first registered in Great Britain and the HPI check that we ran states the original colour was Red and White. It is now an intriguing blend of originality with subtle and effective modern upgrades. The vendor a qualified mechanic has owned the scooter for around 5 years and in that time has carefully modified certain mechanical functions. It now has a GT186 top end with a 60 x 110 crank fuelled by a 30mm Dellorto carburettor and BGM V4 exhaust to complement. The engine silent blocks have been uprated for smoothness. The wiring has seen upgrading to a modern standard and is now 12-volt AC ignition. Everything else has been converted to DC and all electrical parts i.e. the lights, horn and digital speedometer all function when the engine is not running. The rectifier is hidden on the original voltage rectifier box and the battery is tucked into the under-seat toolbox. The speedometer is now the excellent SIP version with rev counter, temperature gauge and a clock. For improved handling and safety the scooter now has an Italian-made inboard front disc brake, adjustable rear shock, uprated front dampers and BGM split wheel rims running Michelin S83 tyres. Just some of the many original parts retained are the BECME switch and although a new Scootopia ‘half moon’ ignition is used the keys appear to be original BECME and CAMA versions. The original Lambretta Concessionaire’s St George badge is present and the rear light and lens are original. The seat is an original Naomi Rosa with a new cover. The scooter has an original seat grab rail and an original rear rack. The original ‘granny cutter’ front registration plate helps create a period look. After a complete rebuild which included blast removal of all of the old paint, the whole presentation is finished off in a superb Metallic paint colour of Metallic Midnight Blue which was sourced from the House of Kolor. This impressive colour almost changes with the light and sparkles in sunshine whilst almost looking Black at other times. The last few pictures in the accompanying gallery were taken in sunshine to illustrate this.

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