Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 11:00
1965 Lambretta GT200 ‘Paul Smith’
Estimate
£9, 000 - £11, 000
Registration No: FEA 119C
Frame No: TV3 551373
MOT: Exempt
Front Cover star scooter for Scootering Magazine August 2006
Good numbers and in great condition
Huge amount of accessories
Very presentable
The Lambretta TV175 series 3 was launched in March 1962 and it was the first scooter supplied with an internal disc brake. It was a remarkable change from the previous TV175 series 2 with new sleek slim styling. The front shock absorbers were enhanced with extra dampers as in the previous TV series 2 models. The TV series 3 also had larger silent blocks than the previous engines and it had a very good reputation as a smooth and well-balanced scooter with great handling attributes. The larger engined TV200 quickly followed the TV175 slim style in early 1963 at the specific request of the British importer Lambretta Concessionaires who wanted an even more powerful model than the TV175 to satisfy their customer base. Genuine TV200 Lambrettas were instantly recognised as the GT200 to differentiate them from the TV175 models.
Sadly, from a deceased estate this TV200 is a British sold version with battery tray and is a well presented example painted in a very high quality deep paint scheme of Paul Smith’ design. The numbers are correct for a TV200 and the month of manufacture from TV200 Club records is July 1965. The scooter has been on display indoors as pride of place for many years and this has resulted in the paintwork being in very good conditions can be seen from the photographs. A well known scooter on the Birmingham mod scene in the 2000s it has been the subject of detailed decoration and appears to be in super condition. In 2006 the scooter appeared in a double page spread article and indeed on the front cover of Scootering Magazine and a copy of the magazine is provided with the lot.
The speedometer appears to be original and correct. The ignition also looks original with a 133 key number. The engine turns but we did not attempt to start it as it was indoors but we are told it was running when it was put inside. Certainly the engine casing appears to have done very little work and is in great condition with the correct SHI/ 20 original Dellorto carburettor present. The scooter has had a quality Ducati CD1 12 volt conversion. Keys are present for the ignition and inside leg shield tool box which is an Ulma style version. The ignition key has what appears to be an original Esso Tiger fob. The tyres are quality Continental whitewalls.
In addition to the attractive paintwork, where the scooter really shines is in the myriad of original and reproduction accessories that adorn this machine. Collectively these accessories would take a long time to collect and certainly have a high monetary value too. The list is substantial but includes: Triple Fiamm original air horns facing to the rear, double air horns in the tool box, a quality leopard design Pegasus seat (possibly of Rimini origin), an Ulma style horncast badge, Ulma style Florida bars, Ulma style double legshield trim, An original Ulma front rack adorned with original spotlights which is a mix of 3 original Radyots with orange lenses, 6 big original Miller spotlights and a big Stadium spotlight. There are also original Desmo badges. To the front the fork boots are possibly original Super versions without badges, and the dampers have white rubber gaiters and the bumper bar is an original Vigano correct series 3 type. There are attractive period bullet lights underslung each side in a triple cluster. To the rear there is a registration plate surround and accessory side lights. The rear rack appears to be an original Nannucci sold Cuppini rack and the spare wheel held there has an original Vigano Turbo wheel disc and spinner. The mirrors are Biemme original rectangular and Metalplast style round mirrors. The rubber parts all appear to be original and in matching green for the hand grips, brake rubber, stand and kick start rubbers and mudflap. The handlebars are finished off with original tassles.
As previously mentioned this is a deceased estate sale and unfortunately the documents could not be found. However the scooter is on the DVLA system so registration should not be an issue and we have performed an HPI check which returned fine.
