Lambretta Model 175 TV

LAMBRETTA MODEL 175 TV HISTORY

Once the powerful, speedy, and successful Vespa 150 GS hit the market, the management at Innocenti was forced to consider a super Lambretta to take on the supremacy of Piaggio in the field of racing scooters. With the release of a new model, Innocenti made a break from the past since the bodywork and mechanical system of this new Lambretta were completely redesigned.

On the 10th of April 1957, the new model was officially launched to coincide with the extremely modern exposition hall in the San Babila square in the center of Milan. Surrounded by white and red azaleas revolving on a crystal platform, the Lambretta 175 TV immediately caught the public eye at the fabulous presentation. Journalists from foreign magazines who had been invited for this event were especially thrilled since they had been waiting for a high-performance Lambretta for quite some time. With this new model, Innocenti opened a new chapter that would continue until the DL series of 1969.

The most notable change was the completely redesigned motor, which was a total break from the old version. The new motor had a horizontally-aligned cylinder, the transmission used a dual chain, and the four-speed gearbox was always engaged.

Even the frame was totally renovated to make room for the new motor and various parts such as the glovebox, gas tank, and air duct which were shifted around. For the first time on a Lambretta, the wheels now measured 10 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches wide.

The suspension was radically changed. The front was simplified by mounting the springs right on the axle. The rear got rid of the costly torsion bar and replaced it with the more traditional hydraulic shocks with a helical spring, like on most motorcycles.

The slick lines of the outside of the scooter were perhaps the most interesting part: the front fender no longer turned with the front wheel; the cast aluminum handlebars now incorporated all the control cables; and the front headlamp was finally enlarged with a brighter bulb.

The last improvements, and equally as important, were the bench seat (which was obviously to make the scooter look more sporty), and the enlarged surface of the brakes for added stopping power because of the overall increased performance of the new 175 TV.

Upon its debut, the TV was originally intended for export since foreign markets tended to prefer higher performance scooters. After all the intense interest in the new Lambretta in Milan, Innocenti decided to offer it on the Italian market as well.

During the time the 175 TV was built, it underwent a few minor changes. Practical regulators with an internal pin were added on the handlebar levers for the brakes and clutch since they were so delicate (this feature was not included on the very last ones made). To access the horn, a small horn cover was added to the front. On the last 175 TVs produced, the rubber floormats were replaced by the more classic aluminum strips.

The expectations of the Lambretta 175 TV were achieved, but just a few months after it entered production already a few design flaws were revealed. Shifting was far too delicate and imprecise a process; the clutch was too small; and the transmission was too weak for the job. All these problems caused the premature halting of the production line after only a modest number of this scooter had been made.