How one man’s love for Lambretta uncovered
the Italian marque’s little-known but highly
innovative grand prix aspirations
The GP bike
time forgot
H
ere’s a simple question.
Name the Italian
motorcycle manufacturer
synonymous with
transverse, overhead-valve
V-twins since 1965? Yes, it’s Moto Guzzi.
Now name the Italian company
which revealed a similar V-twin at the
International Milan Fair in 1951.
Still thinking? Okay, let’s put you
out of your misery. Lambretta quickly
became a giant of post-World War IItransportation in Italy with scooters
inspired by the rugged US military
Cushman runabout. It even built
racing versions for Italy’s early national
motorcycle championships.
But a little-known part of Lambretta’s
history was its early ambition to become
a major player in Grand Prix racing.
It is only due to the efforts of a
passionate and far-sighted Italian
two-wheel enthusiast that any trace of
Lambretta’s GP adventure exists today.WORDSHAMISH COOPER
PHOTOGRAPHY PHIL AYNSLEY, VITTORIO TESSERA ARCHIVES