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Vespa and Lambretta remain the two most iconic motor scooter brands, even four decades after the latter's demise. But what made them such a European sensation in the postwar era? And why were they particularly popular in Britain in the 1950s and '60s? Motor scooter expert Stuart Owen explains the rise of Innocenti's Lambretta and Piaggio's Vespa, from the wartime ruins of Italy, through years of plenty as the two manufacturers exploited a ready market for affordable, economic transport, and then their decline into more uncertain times as motor cars trespassed on their success. He also explores the rich history of accessorising and customising the scooters, their essential role in the mod movement, and the revival in Vespa's fortunes following the release of the cult film Quadrophenia.
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The standard mode of transportation for decades in Europe, motor scooter was a cult "fun" vehicle in the USA until the past two years. With oil prices soaring and the 20-to-40 set looking for alternative means of commuter (and weekend cruising) travel, motor scooter have exploded across the United States. In 2001, less than 30,000 scooters cruised U.S. roadways. In 2005, over 100,000 are road-bound, and the number is growing by double digits each year. Beginning at $1,000 and ranging up over $5,000, dozens of models of scooters are available, as are thousands of accessories. And scooter clubs meet from San Diego to Bangor, Maine. Every year, the largest gathering of motor scooters takes place in Indianapolis, speed capital of the world. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motor Scootersis the perfect introduction to the wonderful world of motor scooting.
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. 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 (na...
Since 1872 when traveling salesman Aaron Montgomery Ward realized he could eliminate the middleman and sell goods directly to his customers, Americans have had an ongoing love affair with the mail-order catalog, which continues undiminished even in today's online-driven world. The practical can find deals on furniture and clothing in L.L.Bean and Sears, the extravagant can consider his and hers matching helicopters, windmills, hot-air balloons, and submarines in the Neiman Marcus Fantasy Catalog; those looking to get their pulses racing can browse Victoria's Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch; while our inner swashbuckler can travel the world through the pages of the J. Peterman Owner's Manual w...
Thirty years have passed since Gareth Brown’s homage to a two-wheeled, two-stroke way of life was published. The first edition of his acclaimed book Scooter Boys, highlighting youth culture spanning half a century, was first published when Margaret Thatcher’s reign as the Eighties Iron Lady was drawing to a close. Now, three decades on, Brown’s book is back to enlighten and entertain a new generation – and rekindle memories for those who were scooter boys and girls back in the day. His informed knowledge of the initial Scooter Boy era has resulted in the 30th Anniversary Edition of Scooter Boys being refreshingly updated and published by Mortons, the home of Scootering and Classic Sc...
The Scooter Bible is an entertaining and authoritative photographic history of the little motorbikes that could, beginning with the first scooter in 1902 and continuing right through to modern electric scooters.
Set your pulse racing with this stunning visual guide to over 1000 pin-up machines - iconic symbols of wanderlust, speed, and the open road. From Gottlieb Daimler's gas-powered "engine on a bicycle" which set fire to the seat on its first outing, to superbikes such as the Ducati 916, The Motorbike Book takes you on an enthralling tour of the bike's history. It shows you bikes that appeal to the head - practical forms of transport - and to the heart - a parade of classic pin-ups including cult machines such as the Honda RC30, the Triumph Bonneville and the Harley-Davidson XR750. The Motorbike Book shows the brilliance and impracticality of different designs and features detailed cross-sections of engines such as the air-cooled two-stroke. It explains how the great marques such as the Royal Enfield, the "legendary" Indian Scout, Vespa, and Norton all became household names. Whether you are a hardcore enthusiast, or looking forward to your first machine, this is one title you cannot be without.
I call Personal Electric Vehicles IEVs. That’s because people want their Electric Vehicle to be more personal. They want it to resonate with who they are (I). Can you blame them? Some call these vehicles micromobility. An IEV is like your alter ego. For some people, this would be a Tesla or a Nissan Leaf. But, IEVs are more personal. That means they’re typically smaller. Often they’re smaller or not much bigger than the driver / rider. Ask yourself these questions. If I put wheels on my feet and added some batteries for electricity, what would I transform into? How fast would I be able to go? And, how much fun could I have getting there? That’s the IEV for you. What is a Personal Ele...