The Lambretta TV, short for Turismo Veloce, was the fast model of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Introduced in 1957 with a 175 cc engine and built in three series until 1965, it was the first scooter in the world to carry a front disc brake.
Lambretta TV at a glance
| Maker | Innocenti, Milan, Italy |
|---|---|
| Name | Turismo Veloce |
| TV 175 | 1957–1958 |
| TV 175 II series | 1959–1961 |
| TV 175 III series | 1962–1965 |
| Engine | 175 cc two-stroke |
| Brakes | first scooter with a front disc brake |
| Body | enclosed |
| Reputation | among the most sought-after 1960s Lambrettas |
The TV has no article of its own; this page is based on the Innocenti Lambretta article in Italian Wikipedia.
History of the Lambretta TV
The TV arrived in 1957 as Innocenti’s sporting scooter, a 175 cc machine positioned above the volume models. Its full name, Turismo Veloce, described its role: a Lambretta built for speed and long-distance riding rather than simple transport.
The model went through three series. The first TV 175 was made in 1957–1958, the second series in 1959–1961 and the third from 1962 to 1965. The TV was the first scooter in the world to be fitted with a front disc brake, a detail that underlined its performance image at a time when drum brakes were universal on small two-wheelers.
Together with the SX, the TV is now one of the most desirable of the 1960s Lambrettas, valued for its higher performance and its refined look. The last TV overlapped with the SX 200 and with the Li and DL models that carried Innocenti production into the 1970s.
Design and features
- Turismo Veloce: the sporting 175 cc model of the Lambretta range.
- First disc brake: the TV introduced a front disc to scooter production.
- Three series: continuous development from 1957 to 1965.
- Collector status: one of the two most sought-after 1960s Lambrettas, with the SX.
Lambretta TV versions
- TV 175 (1957–1958): the first series.
- TV 175 II series (1959–1961): the second series.
- TV 175 III series (1962–1965): the final series, with the disc brake.
The TV was the sporting alternative to the Li and the predecessor of the SX. More scooters are in the Lambretta collection.
Video: My Lambretta TV 200
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Innocenti Lambretta, Italian Wikipedia: TV series, dates, disc brake, collector status
- Lambretta, English Wikipedia: company history
