Vespa and Lambretta Motor Scooters

Author: Stuart Owen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1784423173
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 64

Book Description
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.

Vespa and Lambretta Motor Scooters

Author: Stuart Owen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1784423165
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 64

Vespa History- Virginia Burns

Author: Virginia Burns
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 38

Culture & Customisation

Author: Barry John
Publisher: Evro Publishing Limited
ISBN: 9781910505748
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 112

Book Description
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.

The Evolution of the Custom Scooter

Author: Stuart Owen
Publisher: Banovallum
ISBN: 9781911658481
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description
Lambretta and Vespa scooters dominated the British two-wheeled market back in the 1950s. Originally seen as a vehicle primarily for transport, the scooter quickly grew into something very different. Perceptions underwent a radical shift and machines once disregarded as a functional and mundane became a way of life for their owners. Subcultures such as the Mods and scooter boys grew up around the scooter, a focal point for fashions that have continued to develop. Soon each owner was customizing their scooter according to their own tastes and desires as far as their budget would allow. The age of the scooter as a status symbol had arrived. From the early days with chrome mirrors and lights in the 1960s to the extravagantly painted murals of the 1980s, owners were using their scooters as canvases upon which to express themselves. Rivalries sprang up and as competition between owners grew, so too did the outrageousness of their creations. Today the custom scooter scene thrives and is a strong as it ever has been - with fresh creations showcasing the talents and imaginations of their owners like never before. More and more people are reminiscing about the iconic scooters of yesteryear and the movement shows no signs of waning. This book goes right back to the beginning to look at how it all started, the different styles each decade produced and the most famous machines ever built.

The Life Vespa

Author: Eric Dregni
Publisher: Motorbooks
ISBN: 0760360448
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 240

Book Description
Since hitting the road in 1946, eighteen million Vespa motor scooters have buzzed the Earth. Vespa's success lies in the uniqueness of its design -- in the unmistakable sheet metal skin that, over the span of decades, has defined the concept of "motor scooter." The Life Vespa celebrates all aspects of the scooters and the thriving culture that surrounds them. Since Vespa is affordable and in high-style, the life Vespa encompasses all walks of life, from street urchins to celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne, and Brad Pitt. Part of Motorbooks’ “Life” series, The Life Vespa melds machine and culture to immerse you in la bella vita.

Lambretta Innocenti

Author: Nigel Cox
Publisher: Carl Hungness
ISBN: 9780854299638
Category : Lambretta motor scooter
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Gives the full history of the world's most famous scooter marque. Lists every model, with production figures, specification and a picture of each one.

Lambretta Concessionaires

Author: Stuart Owen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780995781405
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Book Description

Lambretta

Author: Nigel Cox
Publisher: Haynes Publications
ISBN: 9781859608524
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 120

Book Description
This companion volume to Vespa: An illustrated history charts the full history of the Italian Lambretta, from its introduction just after World War II by the Innocenti Company in Milan, through to 1972 when they stopped production and sold the tooling to the Lambretta manufacturer in India. Every Italian model is listed including mopeds and three-wheelers, giving production figures, spec and pictures for each one. The book features accessories such as workshop tools, product and advertising literature, calendars, handbooks and race records.

Classic Scooters

Author: Mick Walker
Publisher: Crowood Press UK
ISBN: 9781861269676
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
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.