1954 Lambretta LD125
Societe Industrielle de Troyes model

Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: LD125 12142
Engine No:
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt

• Very attractive looking Lambretta LD in Pale Blue finish
• Imported into the UK from France in December 2006
• Stored for a few years so will need recommissioning
• Fitted with a spare wheel and separate sprung seats
• Stylish aluminium 'air scoops' fitted to the side panels
• Not registered in UK, supplied with French 'Carte Grise'

Ferdinando Innocenti had an engineering background centered on the production of steel tubing, having established his first workshop at the age of 18. Following the end of the Second World War, he, like many of his contemporary Italian industrialists required a product that would enable him to rebuild his shattered company based in the Milanese suburb of Lambrate. Therefore the inspiration for the creation of the first Lambretta scooter can be found, like that of the rival Vespa, in the devastation that afflicted Italy following the Second World War and the country's desperate need for affordable transport. The new machine was unveiled at the 1947 Paris Show. Unlike its major rival the Vespa, which had debuted slightly before it, the majority of Lambretta's subsequent production featured a large tubular frame to which the other components were fitted and had suspension at both ends. Power was provided by a two stroke, single cylinder engine initially displacing 125cc although a 150cc variant was quickly added. The Model A and Model B were only offered as "open" models with no enclosure of the engine and only minimal leg-shields and foot-boards but the introduction of the revised model C in 1950 saw the option of an enclosed variant, the LC which established the appearance of the Lambretta for the rest of the fifties. These models were replaced for the 1952 season by the D and LD variants which would evolve through three marks over the next six years. The LD 125's engine produced 4.8bhp, giving the model a top speed of around 45mph and LD production continued until the end of the 1950s.

Early in 1950 Fernando Innocenti granted Robert Fenwick the rights to manufacture the Lambretta scooter in France under the umbrella name of Societe Industrielle de Troyes. The very earliest batches of LD 125 Mk1's sold were actually imported Italian models. Scooter manufacture commenced in 1952 turning out new scooters at a rate of 280 units per day. The Italian design was soon modified by the French factory and several derivatives of the basic LD theme were built. A small plate on the horn casing sported the Troyes factory badge that was based on the coat of arms of the Champagne department of France. This nicely presented 1954 LD125 in pale blue appears to be a French made version and comes fitted with a spare wheel and alloy trims on the side panels. It was brought into the UK from France in 2006 and comes supplied with a canceled French Carte Grise and 'certificate of ownership transfer' but it is not currently registered in the UK. The scooter has been in storage for a few years so will need some recommissioning before use.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415 871189