Lambretta Lui

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Lambretta’s lightweight Luna range was designed in the late 1960s by the Italian styling house Bertone with avant garde looks inspired by the race to the moon (hence the Luna name).

Futuristic in design, they comprised a steel frame with bolt on leg shields and a monocoque rear design that harked back to the much admired 1950s ‘D’ types, but brought bang up to date and with funky colours such as orange, turquoise or apple green.

The range comprised three lightweight scooters, the 50cc Lui and the 75cc Vega and Cometa. Only the 75cc models were ever officially imported to the UK and sales were slow in all markets, although they did enjoy some popularity in both circuit and grass track racing. However, it proved too little too late for Lambretta which was sold off in 1972.

Only in production from 1968 to 1969, the Lui 50 featured a 49.8cc two stroke engine which produced 1.48bhp with 3-speed constant mesh transmission and a 25mph top speed. A first for a scooter, the Lui also had one piece cast alloy wheels shod with 300 x 10" tyres and a prominent rear shock absorber housed within a chrome spring that was more for looks than practical effect. Allied to the swoopy lines, it all added up to a racy machine that looked a good deal faster than it actually was.

The Lui on sale today comes direct from Italy and appears to be in excellent restored condition. It has not yet been UK registered but this should be a straightforward process with the relevant DVLA form and no import duties are payable as it has come from within the EU.

A rare and unusual machine, it is sure to attract plenty of attention and would make excellent paddock transport whizzing up and down the pit lane at historic race events. Catalogue Amendment: NOVA document to follow.