The Indian Lambretta Guide

Indian Lambretta. Types and Recognition.
	Indian Lambretta Guide HOME PAGE

(API) The Lambretta Rickshaw
The 'Lamby rickshaw' or 'Lambretta rickshaw' has a large luggage boot. Pictured here with its rival 'Bajaj' rickshaw behind. It runs on a API 175cc engine.		Photographed on 24/03/04. D Williams.


(API) Lambretta LI150 Series 2
The early LI150 Series 2 scooters were assembled by API in India from parts imported from Innocenti. All were badged 'Lambretta'. The Indian Government forced them to start manufacturing and assembly gave way to manufacturing. The API series 2 is virtually identical to the Italian version with most body parts being Innocenti (and stamped accordingly). The main difference is that the Indian version shipped with two seats like the Innocenti Series 1. As API increased manufacturing they made changes and adopted the oval horn grill and a 'centreline' mudguard as their standard. Also, their own legshields achieved a more 'rounded look. Some API LI150 Series 2 scooters have the oval horn grill and 'centreline' mudguard and even the rounded legshields as part of their original condition. This black and white scooter is fitted with the API oval horn grill but the earlier models had the round horn grill (see photo of red Lambretta's round grill).		CHARACTERISTICS: EARLY MODELS (mid sixties)- 'Fat' mudguard. Handle lock side panels. Round horn grill. Squared off shields. LATER MODELS (around 1970)- 'Centreline' mudguard. Handle lock side panels. Oval horn grill. Rounded off shields.


(API) Lamby 150
This Lamby 150, belonging to a greengrocer, is looking the worse for wear but it's still got its original indented side panels. Complete with API side panel 'wing' emblem. You can see that the mudguard is narrower than the Li150 Series 2, with a 'centreline' flash. The horn grill of the Lamby 150 is oval shaped and the legshields more rounded at the top than the LI150 Series 2. In this example of a Lamby, the 'centreline' mudguard or 'crested' mudguard can be seen more clearly. Note that the horncast has the same monogram fitting as the Italian and Indian LI150 Series 2, except it shipped with an API badge, not an Innocenti one. ALL Lambys shipped with this specification of mudguard/shields/horn grill (shown right - Green scooter, without shield beading).		CHARACTERISTICS: 100 KPH Speedometer. 'Indented' side panels. Narrow, 'centreline' mudguard. Rounded off shields.


(API) Lamby Polo (150)		Photographed on 12/05/04. D Williams.
Let’s hear it for the only Lambretta complete redesign since Lambretta left Italy. A radical, market-orientated new design that was API’s effort to compete with the new generation of plastic scooters. The Lamby Polo has received such bad press over the years from scooter organisations. Apart from these people who have some idea of Lambretta production history, would anyone recognise a Lamby Polo on the streets? There are so few outside of India and not even that many can be seen in India. If it is painted well it can look great and deserves equal place alongside its sister – the Lamby (API’s evolved Series 2). The side panels are as flat as GP ones with a ‘go-faster’ indented flash. To complement this the legshields were brought in and made to look more square, along with the headset, the mudguard (that turns with the wheel) and the floor boards. With all this squaring off, a sleeker look is achieved.




(API) MAC175 S
The special edition MAC 175S was API's version of the Innocenti LI 175 Series 2. Only manufactured in small numbers; API did not consider there a market in India for a 175cc Lambretta in terms of mass production. The MAC 175S is basically a TV175. The 175cc engine is TV technology. With the standard TV175 gear ratios it is of similar performance to Italian 175cc machines. The one pictured is missing its MAC panel monograms and the MAC175 S badge on the shields but is in good original condition. Note the 'bubble' type side panels, just like the LI150 Series 2 panels but without the handle locks. The mudguard is the same as the Lamby one and features the 'centreline' or 'crest'.		CHARACTERISTICS: 120 KPH Speedometer 'Bubble' side panels. 'Centreline' mudguard. Rounded off shields.
		In the early 60s... Italian Lambretta producer - 'Innocenti' sold LI Series 2 and TV Series 2 technology to API, along with permission to manufacture them. They also sold out to the Spanish manufacturer 'Eibar'.

(SIL) GP150 as it's known in Europe. Responds to various names in India. Such as - 'Vijai Super Mark I', 'Vijai Super Mark II, 'Vijai Deluxe', 'Vijai Vulcan', 'Allwyn Pushpack', 'Vijai Grand Prix 150'. *Also, it is sometimes spelled 'VIJAY'.*
The Vijai (AKA GP150) was manufactured and shipped out in a variety of different formats. 6v, 12v, AC, DC, with one dual seat, with two seats, with indicators, without indicators, with fixed mudguard, with turning mudguard. Usually, not always, fitted with the side saddle rail footrest (as shown in the scooter photograph of the Grey Mark II, right). We are able to make some assertions about models and how they usually shipped but it seems that different regions and different dealerships required different specifications.		NOTES: As a rule of thumb, mark 1 Vijais are just as likely to have fixed mudguards as turning ones. Mark IIs usually have turning ones (pale blue Mark II pictured). The SIL 'Grand Prix 150' often shipped with indicators and when it did they were the legshield and side panels fixed type, requiring the thicker handlebar supporters for the combination indicator/light/horn switch.


(SIL) GP200
Made exclusively for the export market (unattractive to the fuel-consumption conscious Indian consumer). The same, in appearance, to the Italian version, depending on what final adjustments/modifications (seat/accessories etc) the importer made prior to selling on.