Not much scootering happening here in Stockholm. Have to go back to the lovely weekend in Imola last september. What really caught my eye was this Lambretta B, the second scooter model coming out of the Innocenti factory.
The production started in November 1948. Improvements were made compared to the Lambretta m (later referred to as the "A"). The Lambretta B had larger wheels, 8-inch to 7-inch, the gear shifter moved to the left handlebar, rear and front suspension and a larger petrol tank to name a few. And the cables were "free", not hidden inside the tubes.
The 123 cc engine still delievered 4,3 hp hurling it up to an impressive 68 km/h. The top speed about the same as for the A, although the B was 8 kilos heavier. You could also have it in four metallic paints; Azzurro (blue), Rosso (red), Verde (green) and Bronzo (bronze), a first for the Lambrettas (after this metallic paint didn't came back until 1963).
During its production up to January 1950 35 014 examples were built in two versions. The first one having the same light switch as the A and the brake cover with an internal control and a wedge-shaped rear brake pedal. I wish a knew this before I took this pictures, then I maybe could have determined if it's a version 1 or 2.
Not as expensive as the model A, maybe I can afford one some day!
I'm not sure but I don't think there is one in Sweden right now. Anyhow, they were never imported here in the old days.
The last picture here is of a Lambretta B in Vittorio Tessera's museum "Scooter & Lambretta Museo". It once belonged to the Innocenti family, special ordered in Giallo (yellow).
Source: "Innocenti Lambretta The Definitive History" by Vittorio Tessera (Giorgio Nada Editori)
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