IN THE BEGINING

I just want to record how I got into this. It started when my eldest son Tim was given a VESPA because someone wanted the space. He thought it would be a bit of fun to see if he could get it going. He did. This started him thinking that perhaps he could make use of it for local transport. After some investigation he realised that it would not pass an MOT in it's current state. At this point he made the decision (perhaps unwisely) to repair it. Have a look at his blog site at Black Spanner where you can "feel" the pain and the joy.

This got me thinking and I happened to mention to Tim that I had owned a Lambretta.  Once he knew this I started receiving Ebay links to possible candidates for me to buy. Then from a casual interest things started to take a more serious turn. Tim sent me great book - The Lamgretta Bible by Pete Davies. This contains all things Lambretta. It should only be taken in small doses otherwise you can get indigestion and a headache.

I started to look for the model I had, or as far as I could l remember it. After a bit of research I discovered it was an LD about 1956 but I can't remember the engine capacity. It was powder blue (not the Lambretta name), it had brown seats, aluminum handle bars and glove box behind the leg shields. It can't have had a battery because I can remember the lights going up and down with the engine revs. This was most inconvenient because just when you needed illumination there was none. One of the problems in trying to define my model from such basic information is that Lambretta kept changing their build standard. Whilst they made large numbers of machines a particular build of a model often only lasted for a short time. Thus such details as the venting in the side panels has an impact. I remember mine had chrome surrounds. Oh, did I mention that they also introduced "marks" within the model range, hence the headache. Having consulted the" bible" on numerous occasions I'm more or less convinced that My scooter was an LD Mark 2 somewhere between the second version (mid1955 to mid 1956) and the third version (mid 1956 to 1957). That is of course unless you know better.

Writing this blog in retrospect it's quite difficult to remember the exact sequence of events. In the greater scheme of things it's not important but iit will become part of the history of the scooter.

I had starting watching a number of machines for sale on Ebay, only out of interest you understand. There was one on the Isle of White that I think was very close to my model. It had had no bids after 5 days and I thought it might not go so I contacted the seller with a couple of questions. With one day to go I asked it didn't reach it's starting bid of £1500 would he be prepared to negotiate something a little less. He said yes and we even talked of how I would get it back to Hertfordshire. On the 2nd July I found that someone had met the starting bid price so that was that. Encouraged by June I went and watched the end of the bidding. Again encouraged by June, I actually entered a max bid of £1800 only to be beaten by £50 at the very last moment. That's Ebay for you. June said I should have put £2000 as a max bit but I didn't want to get carried away in the excitement. Whilst I now think it was a good value at £2000 it still needed a lot of work doing and the engine was seized and so an unknown quantity. The thing it did have going for it was it was complete and had been stored for 43 years by the sellers dad.

It was strange the next day to find that I felt really disapointed that I had lost the bid and found myself hoping that the buyer would fail to pay or something so that the seller would offer it to me. No such luck. It helped but I couldn't get the idea out of my mind that I really should have offered more. I was surprised at my reaction but what was even more surprising was the fact that June was very upset on my behalf, she really wanted me to have it. I hope it's because she loves me and not just to get rid of me down the garage.

The family rallied round to comfort me and to stop me kicking myself. John mentioned that they (UPOL) had a rep who was into scooters in a big way and Torsie talked to him most days, she would give him a buzz. Ashley Marples came back within the hour and yes he is into scooters, he has five I think. We talked for a while and he agreed to offer any advice he could. He did say the LD parts were becoming more difficult to find (that only made it worse that I didn't win the Isle of White one. Kick!)

As I said I had been collecting possibly suitable Ebay auctions to watch and none really excited me. I had previously discounted uncompleted LD project because there were a number of undisclosed parts required and the engine wasn't the correct model. The correct engine was included but had no barrel or piston and did have the numbers that matched with the log book. I received an urgent message from John saying that Ashley had contacted Torsie to say had we seen it and if I didn't buy it he would. I phoned Ashley and he said that he had just come off the phone after speaking to the seller for half an hour and confirmed that it was good value for money considering what had been done to it. Whilst it was in the auction at a starting bid of £1350 to finish on the 6th July it also had a "buy now price" of £1350. Ashley was concerned that it could be snapped up and was concerned if I didn't take it he might loose it. After a short consideration I phoned the seller (Mark Flanagan) and offered the "buy now price". After discussion he agreed to deliver it to Bramfield for and additional £100. Having checked that to hire a van would cost £55 and the fuel costs, to meet part way would be up to £50 I accepted his deal. So on Saturday 10th July 2010 I should be a part built scooter owner.

How do I feel? As I always do at this point in the purchase, apprehensive. Will it be what I expect? Will I be able to purchase the missing parts? Will the money run away? Have I been conned? Will he deliver, not too much of a problem since I haven't payed any money over because he wants cash with delivery. If the deal fall through will I be able to start over again? Perhaps I always feel like this because I'm excited and not just because I'm frightened. Hopefully I will feel secure again after I have inspected the bits and have formulated a plan. Roll on Saturday.