Scooter marques Vespa and Lambretta have been virtually tied together for over a half a century and so has the marketing rivalry between two iconic Italian scooters, and playing on this rivalry is this latest commercial that an ad agency for Lambretta has come up with and it will put a smile on your face, unless of course you’re a super fan of the Vespa scooter.

Enjoy.

Source | motorbiker.org

Alongside with Vespa, Lambretta is the most famous scooter brand in the world. The company begun producing its signature scooter model back in 1947, becoming an icon of the 50s and 60s in Italy and abroad. After an almost 40-years long hiatus and with an all-Italian management, the legendary brand is now back into business, presenting at the 2011 EICMA two new products that retain the style of its noble ancestors: Lambretta LN125 and LN151.

Lambretta LN125 uses a single cylinder air-cooled 2-valves 124.6 cc engine - producing 8.7 hp at 8,000 rpm and 8.2 Nm (6.1 lb/ft) at 6,500 rpm - and a 6-speed wet multi-plate clutch automatic transmission made by Sym in Taiwan. it also uses a cast aluminum twin spar chassis, telescopic fork with 190 mm discs on the front, single spring with drum brake on the rear and a 6-litre capacity fuel tank which provides a range of about 145 km. This model boasts a dry weight of 111 kg and is marketed worldwide.

Lambretta LN151 instead is a scooter for the Italian market only. It will be powered by a 151 cc single cylinder 4 stroke engine producing 10.3 hp at 7,500 rpm with 10,8 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm, while most other feature will be identical to what we said for its little sister.

View the full Lambretta LN125 and LN151 at the 2011 EICMA photo gallery

Lambretta and Vespa scooters were cultural icons in the 1950’s and 1960’s in Italy.

The country was divided over the two marques and trying to get Italians who were in their first real economic boom to chose either the Piaggio or Innocenti made scooter was hard work, advertising wise.

Check out this 1962 Italian commercial from a show called Carosello, and the Quartetto Cetra singing the ‘Lambret-Twist’ showcasing the scooter.

Enjoy.

After the news that the Lambretta Consortium was suing companies for the misuse of the Lambretta brand, it turns out that there is more behind the story. Claiming defamation (and they’re probably right), are the companies specifically mentioned in the Consortium’s cease and desist announcement, Motom Electronics Group S.p.a. (MEG) and Clag International Ltd (CLAG).

They clear up the situation in the following press release:

Lambretta: this is not an imitation!
We are witnesses of a piratical action of a well known “predator” of famous brands!

With reference to the statement sent on 2nd August 2011 by Lambretta SA (company in liquidation) to the press agencies worldwide, the companies Motom Electronics Group S.p.a. (MEG) and Clag International Ltd (CLAG) jointly specify as follows:

1) the trademark Lambretta was sold in 1972 by the Innocenti family, founder of the brand, to a company owned by the Government of India called “Scooters India Ltd” (SIL).

2) in 2006 SIL granted a license for the use of the trademark Lambretta to an English company called Fine White Line Ltd. (FWL).

3) In 2010 FWL, through two affiliated companies, Lambretta Scooters Ltd and Scooter Asia (TBS) Ltd, granted sub licenses for the use of the trademark Lambretta to MEG and CLAG for Class 12 products (land, sea and air engine power vehicles).

MEG and CLAG therefore use the trademark Lambretta by virtue of license agreements which allow them to sell in most countries of the world scooters with the trademark Lambretta.

See more after the jump and go to Lambrettamotorcycles.com for what seems like the real deal.

Despite the clear legitimacy of the use of the mark Lambretta by MEG and CLAG, the companies of the so-called “Lambretta Consortium”, which is not a recognized juridical entity, for several years have been trying to revoke the rights of the original Lambretta trademark, owned by SIL, alleging that the trademark had not been put to genuine use, with the purpose of prevailing with subsequent registrations of the trademark Lambretta made illegally by the Consortium starting from 2006.

The Court in Milan (Italy) with three decisions (decision n. 8912/2010 of the 7.7.2010; injunction of 26.11.2008; injunction of 30.5.2011) has already established that the trade mark Lambretta owned by the Company SIL is valid and cannot be revoked and has decided that there are no reasons to consider terminated the sub license contract for the use of the trademark Lambretta.

Defeated in the judicial courts, Mr. Walter Scheffrahn, control shareholder of Brandconcern BV (Dutch company) and, we suppose, main partner of the Lambretta Consortium, against any decision taken by the Judges of Milan, is seeking to stop the industrial and commercial activities of MEG and CLAG, by taking actions in various countries around the world aimed at terrorizing suppliers as well as distributors of the legitimate licensees with the purpose of dissuading them to continue the legitimate industrial and commercial collaboration with MEG and CLAG.

By doing so Mr. Scheffrahn, who has never produced any scooter and who has illegitimately registered, in bad faith, the trademark Lambretta without commercially using it, has not hesitated to commit criminal actions (such as the defamation of the managing director of MEG). For this reason he has been reported to the Public prosecutor’s office of Monza (Italy).

At present Mr. Scheffrahn, through the intense network of companies that are controlled and managed by him, is issuing press releases to the whole world with news contrary to the truth, is vilifying the companies MEG and CLAG, threatening their clients and suppliers and even sending his own emissaries to visit possible prospective clients with the purpose of intimidating them and dissuading them from purchasing the scooters with the trademark Lambretta produced by MEG and CLAG.

Not only, but Mr. Scheffrahn, in a fraudulent way, has also filed an application to the OAMI, the European trademark and patent office, in order to register under the name of his holding company, Lambretta Srl, the intellectual property of the industrial models of a scooter designed and previously registered by CLAG, trying to illegitimately appropriate for himself the rights of industrial property owned by third parties.

For all these reasons Mr Scheffrahn will once again be reported to the Public prosecutor’s offices, with the hope that the Judges will be able to issue effective measures to stop the action of what we believe is a “predator” of famous brands.

Certainly MEG and CLAG, confident of their rightful actions, as confirmed by courts’ decisions, will not let the unlawful and unprejudiced actions of this person intimidate them and they will continue, with the entire industrial and commercial network set up in these years, the re-launch in the world of the mythical brand Lambretta, of which they confirm to be the only legitimate licensees.

Milan, August 3rd 2011
Motom Electronics Group S.p.a.

Clag International Ltd

PS both companies MOTOM Electronic Group and CLAG International Ltd are available to release every information to the press and the insiders aiming to show with tangible and incontestable evidence the truthfulness of what above declared.

Lambretta has started an international campaign against fake copies of its iconic scooters. The Lambretta Consorzio group has launched its campaign against non-original LN125 and LS125 scooters using the Lambretta name. What’s more, this isn’t just some fluffy effort at trade fairs - so far Lambretta has the backing of a legal team and customs police authorisation who can put into place the strategy to protect the brand.

The anti-counterfeit program is mostly aimed at Clag International in Ireland and Motom Electronics Group in Italy, as well as Taiwan LN125 and LS125 producers, Her Chee International, which operates under the names of Adly and Gamax Moto Corporation. Lambretta is taking its campaign to the web in what is a difficult task to educate consumers about counterfeit Lambretta products.

The web campaign is part of its attempt to quash the fraudulent activity through distribution networks in Asia, America and Europe who claim to distribute original Lambretta products. Warnings to cease and desist all commercial activity fraudulently using the Lambretta name have been issued. The www.lambretta.com website is the original, international company website and you can find their announcement after the jump. Websites like lambrettaoriginale.com and lambrettamotorcycles.com have no links to the company whatsoever and are now a focus in the anti-fake campaign.

On behalf of FINE WHITE LINE LIMITED (FWL), LAMBRETTA SCOOTERS LIMITED (LSL), both are Companies with registered office in United Kingdom, at 2 Pedigree Farm Barns, Althorp, Northants, NN7 4HE (herein after, FWL and LSL) and on behalf of LAMBRETTA LICENSING (IRE) LTD, with registered office in 20 Molesworth Street Dublin 2 – Republic of Ireland (before Scooters Asia Limited, herein after LAMBRETTA LICENSING (IRE) LIMITED (here after LLL)).

The three companies above manage on behalf of LAMBRETTA CONSORTIUM (herein after LC) the exploitation of the exclusive rights concerning the trademark LAMBRETTA. For a trademark overview please visit www.lambretta.com.

As you may be aware, LSL is the sub-licensee of the trademark LAMBRETTA for the European market. LLL is the sub-licensees of the trademark LAMBRETTA for the Asian market.

LSL granted a further sub-license to MOTOM ELECTRONICS GROUP SPA (here after Motom), in order to exploit the exclusive rights on the Trademark LAMBRETTA on Italy with a conditional possibility to extend the territory. Unfortunately, because of contract breaches by MOTOM, the sub-license agreement was terminated, last December 2010.

LLL granted a further sub-license to CLAG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (here after CLAG) in order to exploit the exclusive rights on the Trademark LAMBRETTA in 11 Asian countries. This agreement has also been terminated because CLAG failed to pay the Minimum Royalty due and committed other contractual breaches.

This means that any Scooter product sold in numerous countries in the world, without the authorization of LC and in particular the scooters commercialized and distributed by MOTOM or CLAG (specifically the LN 125 and LS 125) or by any other company affiliated, participated, commercially linked or connected to MOTOM or CLAG (this will also include but not be limited to ADLY, GAMAX, DBM LAMBRETTA INTERNATIONAL and MOTOLIFE) cannot carry the LAMBRETTA trademark, lacking the consent of the legitimate owners of the sign at issue. Any genuine and valid licensing agreement should be signed directly with LAMBRETTA DISTRIBUTION LIMITED (LD) part of LC. Moreover the mentioned companies have no authority to use the trademark LAMBRETTA in their company names, websites (including but not limited to: www.lambrettaoriginale.com, www.lambretta-italia.it and www.lambrettamotorcycles.com) or on any other products they produce or distribute.

Lambretta Consortium takes a very strict stance in this matter and have been forced into this action to protect their exclusive rights.

Lambretta Consortium has instructed its lawyers to,
WARN

Importers and distributors of the following relevant facts:

All importers/distributors engaged in the LN 125 /LS 125 must immediately cease and desist from distributing, marketing, offering for sale, advertising, ordering any product bearing the trademark LAMBRETTA.

All importers/distributors engaged in the LN 125 /LS 125 must immediately cease and desist from using in the course of business the trademark LAMBRETTA or any confusingly similar sign.

All importers/distributors engaged in the LN 125 /LS 125 must inform to us all the quantities of LAMBRETTA products, imported, commercialised, offered for sale, distributed or ordered to date.

All importers/distributors engaged in the LN 125 /LS 125 must not take delivery of any incoming shipment of products bearing the trademark LAMBRETTA, unless explicitly authorized by us in writing.

All importers/distributors engaged in the LN 125 /LS 125 must sign and return a the enclosed copy of a lletter of acceptance that they have understood and accepted the obligations hereby contained.

The Board

Source | Motoblog.it

These four official and limited edition Lambretta scooter helmets are maufactured in Italy by Project srl (40 years in the business) and naturally meet European Road Safety Standards ECE 22/05.

Each helmet design celebrates a different aspect of Lambretta’s heritage:

- The ‘Bianco’ and ‘Nero’ models both feature the number ‘47’ within a target design to commemorate the first year of the Lambretta’s manufacture (1947) and its central place in Mod culture.

- The ‘Union’ uses the Union Jack, another iconic Mod symbol, to pay tribute to Britain’s special relationship with the Lambretta.

- The ‘Britalia’ is a unique collaboration between the Union and Italian Tricolore flags, which pays homage to the impact Italian style and design has had on the British scooter scene.

Helmet pricing for the UK is £ 150.00 and add £ 6 for postage if you’re in another European country and £25 for the rest of world.

Back to Lambretta origins seemed the theme from the company at the 2010 EICMA as in years gone by we’ve seen some hit-and-miss stuff from this historic Italian brand (specifically the Lambretta Pato who’s campaign to compete with 1950’s and 70’s Vespas didn’t quite come off).

The new Lambretta LN model has gone for a classic design with a squared-off front mudguard and elegant proportions with sculpted wing-shape designed sides tapering to the rear. The engine is a twin-valve, single-cylinder air-cooled unit. The model comes in either a 125 or 150cc model.

The Lambretta brand might not be quite ready to take on a model like the Vespa PX but this new design from Motom Electronics Group seems to be a positive indication that the model is regaining some of its lost identity and hopefully we’ll see some quality build that will bring it back to its cult status.

Seeing an old Lambretta always has a certain effect, though this is the modern Lambretta 125N in old-style design produced by the Pato brand. It was seen at the EICMA show this week.

Lambretta Pato 125N Eicma 2009

Italy’s Lambretta scooter shows its neverending fascination and charm, and takes on a new look in this sports version from the guys at 100mph Lambretta Club. This scooter is small, but hard core!

The Lambretta prototype has been designed to become the fastest Lambretta around, capable of reaching a speed of 180 km/hr. It is an exercise in spot the original components, although the longer wheelbase, brakes and wheels have been maintained.

This Lambretta is equipped with a 250cc, two-stroke engine well tuned to give it that extra grunt. Have a look at the video after the jump on a Lambretta-Ferrari drag race!

Source | Moto22

The Lambretta Pato 50, was presented at the Eicma show in Milan recently and is the smallest of the Lambretta series. It’s equipped with a four stroke, air cooled engine and is available in the standard colours of white, black, grey, silver and blue. Optional colours include opaque black, red, white/red, pink and zebra.

The selling price is 1,929 euros for the standard colours, or 2,229 euros for the special colour range. The standard version is available, while the optional versions are available on delivery after 30 days.

The Pato 50cc weighs 101 kg, has double disc brakes and accessories including storage and windshield. It complies with Euro 3 norms.

It’s hard to know at first what this strange machine is, but on the blog from Ottonero, this is apparently a Lambretta equipped with a Yamaha RD350 engine.

It’s an uncommon special bike, this one. After the jump we give you a couple of videos of the Yambretta RD350 in action.

The most famous Lambretta in the world could be yours very soon. Bonham’s is auctioning a piece of movie history on November 25th - the scooter rode by Jimmy Cooper in the 1979 cult mod flick Quadrophenia, complete with its original KRU 251F number plate, although some original parts have been replaced by modern ones.

The scooter is being quoted between £20,000 and £25,000.

For those who are too young or have never seen the movie, here’s a clip from Quadrophenia where the Lambretta is an integral part of the story.

Source | Bonhams