This charming book, packed with unique artwork and engaging photographs,
celebrates scooter mania.
In a feast of nostalgia, it takes us through the evolution of the
scooter, focusing naturally on all things Lambretta and Vespa, but also
covering plenty of obscure and eccentric machinery along the way.
Scooter enthusiasm in all its forms receives generous attention, whether
as fashion accessory for fifties movie stars, style-conscious transport
choice for the Mod generation, or object of worship for today's
retro-loving adherents.
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Scooters take off: rising from the rubble of post-war Italy, Piaggio
emerged first with its Vespa (meaning 'wasp'), soon followed by
Innocenti and its Lambretta (named after a Milan suburb).
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Evolution: numerous Lambretta and Vespa models over the years are
illustrated and explained, accompanied by a look at the myriad
accessories available for them.
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Not just in Italy: a survey of classic-era scooters from Britain (such
as Brockhouse Corgi, Sun Wasp and Triumph Tigress), Germany (such as
Glas Goggo, Zündapp Bella and Heinkel Tourist), Japan (such as Fuji
Rabbit, Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon and Honda Juno) and elsewhere.
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Mod culture: emerging in the sixties and entwined with music and
fashion, it made a unique contribution to scooter fandom that has
since embraced the globe.
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Scooters as classics: the resurgence of interest since the late
seventies and all that has come with it, from restoration and racing
to customising and clubs.
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Scooter tales worldwide: Cesare Bataglini's round-the-world Lambretta
odyssey; Mod revivalists in Tokyo; elderly scooters soldiering on in
Africa; Indonesia's Rebel Riders and their crazy Vespa-derived
creations; scaling Ben Nevis on a Lambretta; and much more.
Quotes in the book such as "The scooters, clothes and music -- an
unforgettable time of my life" and "Exciting, fun and carefree days when
anything seemed possible" sum up the enduring appeal of classic
scooters. Anyone afflicted with the obsession will adore this book.
