• Well known machine on the UK Scooter Scene

• Impeccably maintained

• Documented UK History with period racing upgrades 

There is no more an evocative machine in the Lambretta world than the GT200. 

Devised specifically for the UK Market by Lambretta Concessionaires, it was the first Lambretta of 200cc Capacity in order to fill demand for the UK scooterist who was notorious for being more of a sporting rider than the average Italian. 

Innocenti originally hadn’t ever intended to go for a higher capacity model than the TV175, which was the top of the range scooter at the time and the Series 3 Model featured the first ever disc brake on any motorcycle; a huge leap forward in design at the time. 

However, Peter Agg, Managing Director of Lambretta Concessionaires asked Innocenti to build a special model and although Innocenti initially refused, they then agreed on the basis that all warranty claims were handled by the Croydon based firm. 

Mr Agg’s foresight paid off, and the TV200 (marketed in the UK as the GT200) became the model of choice for any aspiring Lambretta owner from 1963 onwards. 

Interestingly, the GT was never sold in Italy and only built for the export markets. 

It was so successful however, that Innocenti then decided to produce the SX200 as it’s replacement, which although considered more refined, was never as quick as the GT and didn’t quite catch on as well due to being introduced a little too late in 1966, when sales started to drop off for the scooter market in general. 

However, the formidable GT200’s reputation has remained unbeaten, having found favour in the UK as the machine to have for the aspiring Mod or Scooterist and as a result values are now higher than any other machine.

Comprehensive history files for British registered Lambrettas are very rare, but luckily this GT200 has some fantastic early history which gives us a picture of it’s whereabouts from new. 

This particular machine was originally built by Innocenti in 1963 and first registered in Greenock, Scotland under the registration number FVS 233B in June 1964. 

Originally White and Green and actually registered as GT200 slim style on the logbook (rather than TV200 which is technically correct as well but marketed in the UK as the GT200). 

The machine then changed hands in 1971 and landed with an owner who was heavily inspired by the 1960’s racing Lambrettas built by the likes of Arthur Francis in Watford, and set about building a homebrew version of his S Type dealer special which is how the machine remains today with it’s dazzling paint intact from that period. 

The owner added many mail order parts directly from Arthur Francis to complete the look including Ball End Levers, a 225cc Cylinder from Arthur, a Scootmobile manifold and matching Amal Carburettor, Reverse Pull Disc Brake Setup and rubber damper gators. 

For all intents and purposes, this machine is as close to a proper S Type as a Scottish whippersnapper could achieve in period. 

However, in 1973 the proud owner then placed the machine in storage where it gathered dust for over 40 years. 

In 2014 however, the previous owner to the current owner was offered the chance to purchase the machine where it was located near Glasgow, but several of the original parts had been taken off and gone missing in that period including the side panels, exhaust and Amal carburettor. 

It was then recommissioned replacing what was missing, including painstakingly matching a pair of SX200 style side panels (a tribute to the original S Type Lambrettas which featured these) to the now beautifully patinated paintwork on the rest of the machine. 

The previous owner then sold it the current owner, a respected Lambretta enthusiast with a stable of period correct machines who has decided to replace it, as he has found another GT200 that is from within 5 miles of where he lives from new and doesn’t get the time to ride this one.

Lambrettas don’t tend to come with much of their original paperwork, however this one does luckily have it’s original buff continuation log book from the period stating it’s original engine and frame numbers (which match the machine might we add) and a few old MOTs, a dating certificate from the Lambretta Club of Great Britain and the Current V5C.

This GT200 wears it’s beautiful patinated Arthur Francis paintwork with pride and is resplendent in Metallic Purple and Bianco Nuovo (new white). 

As we stated, the paint was done in 1971 so do not expect a concourse restored machine, however, just this feature actually adds more value than it detracts and original paint 200cc British registered Lambrettas are extremely rare! This is one to keep as it is! 

The scooter features an original Giuliari seat with it’s original black cover (which look totally different from the remade ones), a rare original Cuppini sprint rack which are the same as were used in period by Arthur Francis, a gorgeous set of black and white stick-on-number type registration plates, again period correct, and a set of yellow racing ovals to really complete the look. 

We noticed that it has an original “fine line” light switch (correct for GT200’s), an original ignition switch and it’s original 70 mph speedometer showing the correct mileage. It also features it’s correct locks and either original keys or re-cut versions cut from original masters. 

On the front, the machine has it’s original June 1972 tax disc and holder which is a nice touch for accurate dating. The front mudguard is also fibreglass. It also has a Fabbri legshield spare wheel holder as fitted to S Types.

Having been subject to a comprehensive rebuild, this GT200 doesn’t leave a lot to be desired, having had a full engine rebuild with a new Amal Carburettor which was done during the previous owner’s tenure. 

The period correct performance upgrades which this machine either still has or has been tastefully added are as follows and they all work perfectly: 

After a quick tickle of the Amal Carburettor and switching on the ignition switch, a prod of the SX200 kickstart arm she roars into life with an induction roar that is oh so evocative of the late 60’s scooter tuning scene. All of the lights work perfectly and so does the horn.

The brakes all work fine and the inner cables have all been replaced and work perfectly. 

The current owner has used this machine regularly as with all his machines and they have all been very well looked after.

Are you ever going to find a machine like this again? Probably not. When the vendor asked us to sell this on his behalf, we got very giddy. Any Lambretta is appealing but an original paint GT200 is about as good as it gets. 

One to suit the serious collector for showing off and riding we are sure that this is as sound an investment as it gets. 

Whoever the new owner is, they will get the benefit of being at the top of the tree when it comes to period machines and they are certain to get a serious amount of street cred turning up to any event!