The highest was the response to the three Grand Prix 200’s shown at the NEC. Scooters India had shown they could supply the quality required and the UK market was ready. I was in no doubt Lambretta was coming back big time.
My rider’s success at competitive events, especially sweeping the board at the Isle of Man in 1968. Creating and riding the 250cc for years it had been an itch that would not go away.
The worst was being told one of my closest members of the Lambretta club had been killed riding the first 200 I sold. It was standard ex factory, but it took a long time to shake off feeling guilty for selling it to him.
The end of Lambretta in the UK. The loss of Innocenti was the worst, as it had been my working and most of my social life for over twenty years. Then Scooters India, by being in touching distance of an exciting new era, before they pulled the rug.
The 250. In my mind I always knew it was likely to be too expensive and I was probably justifying the development cost when considering the engine as the heart of a Super ‘S’ type, but the crankshaft weakness was still a bitter disappointment.
by Arthur Francis and taken from Classic Scooterist Scence issue 63 and 64.
Classic Scooterist Scene would like to thank Arthur Francis for his time, patience and pictures use in the production of this article. Hopefully, it has gone some way to resolve many unanswered questions. Thanks also to Dave Dry, Ray Kemp, Jim Trewin, Martin Weeks, Team S Equipe and Wicksy, for their input, information and pictures.