I'm not the first scooterist in my family. Here's a photo of a fashionable and youthful TIW Senior on his 1957 Lambretta LD150, in about 1960. The picture was most likely taken by his mate Mal, who bought an LD at the same time. The late 50s/early 60s were of course a time when many of these new 'teenagers' were earning decent money, and could afford their own transport. Dad doesn't have particularly fond memories of his Lambretta: "It was pretty unreliable - and it even broke down when I took the motorcycle test." It can't have been all that bad - he kept it for three years until he could afford his first car, a Reliant Regal, which could be driven on a bike licence as long as - bafflingly - the reverse gear was deactivated. The scoot went to his newly wed brother, who until then had been getting around on a WW2 surplus Welbike. At last, Dad and his mates could arrive at the Bradford Mecca or Batley Variety Club without having to check in a dripping wet Belstaff Roadmaster and an Everoak lid. Good job he got rid of the scooter, or he might never have met my mum.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Old Skool
I'm not the first scooterist in my family. Here's a photo of a fashionable and youthful TIW Senior on his 1957 Lambretta LD150, in about 1960. The picture was most likely taken by his mate Mal, who bought an LD at the same time. The late 50s/early 60s were of course a time when many of these new 'teenagers' were earning decent money, and could afford their own transport. Dad doesn't have particularly fond memories of his Lambretta: "It was pretty unreliable - and it even broke down when I took the motorcycle test." It can't have been all that bad - he kept it for three years until he could afford his first car, a Reliant Regal, which could be driven on a bike licence as long as - bafflingly - the reverse gear was deactivated. The scoot went to his newly wed brother, who until then had been getting around on a WW2 surplus Welbike. At last, Dad and his mates could arrive at the Bradford Mecca or Batley Variety Club without having to check in a dripping wet Belstaff Roadmaster and an Everoak lid. Good job he got rid of the scooter, or he might never have met my mum.
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Wonderful! In my town, the Lammie ruled the roost, and Wendy B and two of her chums each bought one. The Lambretta noise was easily recognisable, and we lads on the High Street would instantly spin around to watch these girls 'roar' past in their tight jeans, long boots, white jackets and Centurion 'bone domes'! Very 'Avengers'! Unfortunately, the Lammie became a little less of a boys' steed as a result - completed when someone bought a Moto Rumi and substantially blew them away!
After that, we became a Bantam and Tiger Cub town.........
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