Details of Cars

Lambretta LC, FC and FD: the early 125s and their workhorses

LAMBRETTA

Lambretta FD three-wheeler
Lambretta FD commercial three-wheeler. Photo by Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 de via Wikimedia Commons.

In the early 1950s Innocenti used its 125 cc scooter as the basis for two very different machines: the LC, an enclosed version of the Model C scooter, and the FC and FD light three-wheelers built for carrying goods. Together they show how quickly the Lambretta layout moved from private transport to work.

Lambretta LC, FC and FD at a glance

Lambretta LC, FC and FD key facts
Maker Innocenti, Milan, Italy
LC scooter 1950–1952, enclosed version of the C
FC three-wheeler 1950–1952
FD three-wheeler 1952–1959
FD/C 1957–1959
Engine 125 cc two-stroke Lambretta unit
Layout scooter mechanics, commercial body
Later range Lambro, from 1963

The LC, FC and FD are covered only in the model list of the Italian Wikipedia article; this page is based on one source.

History of the Lambretta LC, FC and FD

The LC was the enclosed-body version of the Model C scooter, sold from 1950 to 1952. Its fully panelled body was criticised by Piaggio as too close to the Vespa, but it sold well and encouraged Innocenti to keep developing closed bodywork, which became standard on the range from 1957.

The FC and FD belonged to a different world. Innocenti built a series of light commercial three-wheelers on the mechanicals of the Lambretta scooter, starting with the FB in 1949. The FC followed in 1950 and was made until 1952; the FD took over in 1952 and stayed in production until 1959, with a further FD/C version listed for 1957 to 1959. These vehicles carried a small load box behind a scooter-like cab and were cheap to buy and run, which made them popular with small traders in post-war Italy.

The commercial line was initially sold under the Lambretta name as well, and only later received its own name, Lambro. That range continued through the 1960s with the Lambro 200, 450 and 550 models. After Innocenti stopped scooter production in 1971, the tooling went to India, where Scooters India Limited built Lambro three-wheelers as the Vikram.

Design and features

  • Shared mechanics: the commercial vehicles used the Lambretta 125 cc two-stroke engine and scooter front end.
  • Closed LC body: the first successful enclosed Lambretta, ancestor of the later panelled models.
  • Working vehicles: the FC and FD were designed to carry goods, not passengers.
  • Start of the Lambro line: the three-wheelers led directly to the named Lambro range of the 1960s.

Lambretta LC, FC and FD versions

  • LC (1950–1952): enclosed-body 125 cc scooter.
  • FC (1950–1952): first post-war Lambretta-based commercial three-wheeler after the FB.
  • FD (1952–1959): the long-running three-wheeler of the early range.
  • FD/C (1957–1959): a later variant of the FD.

The LC belongs with the Model C, while the FC and FD led to the Lambro. More vehicles are in the Lambretta collection.

Video: LAMBRETTA 125 FD

Video on YouTube.

Sources

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