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The history

One factory at Lambrate, three product lines. Origins and the four eras first, then each narrative on its own subject; dates and technical data live in Models.

1949 — 1972

The commercial side of the Lambretta

The Innocenti Lambro is one of the most iconic light commercial utility vehicles of the post-WWII European reconstruction era. While the world famously knows Innocenti for its sleek Lambretta motor scooters, it was their tough, three-wheeled commercial workhorses that quite literally rebuilt Italy's local economies.

Named after the Lambro River that flowed right past the Innocenti factory gates in the Lambrate suburb of Milan, these vehicles evolved from crude “scooter-trucks” into highly sophisticated mini-commercial vehicles.

The Lambro three-wheelers were the commercial extension of the Lambretta scooter platform. Launched in 1949 by Innocenti S.G., they shared mechanical components with the scooters but were engineered for heavier loads, deliveries, municipal work and light transport.

Like the Lambretta, the Lambro name and trademark were derived from the Lambro river that ran past the Lambrate works, reinforcing the family connection inside the Innocenti range.

Lambros proved extremely successful and stayed in Italian production until early 1972 — outliving scooter production by nearly a year.

1949

The first Lambro — FB

The FB (F for Furgone, van) is introduced: a simple open load carrier based on the Lambretta B scooter.

Early 1950s

FC, FD and the first cab

Open carriers FC and FD arrive, followed by the FDC — the first enclosed cab version. Reinforced frames, reduced gearing for heavy loads, rod and lever steering, and shared scooter engines.

1959–1960

Li 175 Series 1

The first Lambro named after its engine size, with a larger cab for improved driver comfort.

Li 175 Series 1

1960

Li 175 Series 2

Further cab refinements and better ergonomics for the working driver.

Li 175 Series 2

1963

Lambro 175 and Lambro 200

A chassis prefix change brings the Lambro 175 name, joined by the new Lambro 200 with a bigger engine, larger wheels and redesigned forks.

Lambro 175
Lambro 200

1965

Payload-based naming

Naming shifts to payload capacity, reflecting commercial priorities. The Lambro 450 replaces the 175; the Lambro 550 replaces the 200 with twin headlights, a stronger chassis and an increased load area.

Lambro 450
Lambro 550

1967

Lambro 550N

The engine moves outside the cab, making the driver's environment significantly quieter and cooler.

Lambro 550N

1968

Lambro 550A

The 550A — allungato, lengthened — arrives with an extended rear body for bulkier loads.

Lambro 550A

1969

The angular facelift

A major facelift brings modern, angular, car-like cabs: the 550V with a steering wheel, the 550M with handlebars, and the lighter, cheaper 500ML export version.

550V
550M
500ML

1970

The 600 series

Payload capacity rises to 600 kg and the range is renamed: 600M with handlebars, 600V with a steering wheel.

600M
600V

1971–1972

Final production

The 600M is built until November 1971 and the 600V until January 1972. These last models offered heaters, electric wipers, interior lights and improved suspension — car-like comfort on economical scooter-derived mechanics.

600M
600V

Direct comparison

Key historic model eras

Era / model range	Production years	Steering controls	Max payload	Key characteristics
Model FB / FC / FD	1949 – 1959	Scooter handlebars	~200 kg	Open rider configuration; highly derivative of the early A and B scooters.
Model FDC	1957 – 1959	Scooter handlebars	~300 kg	First enclosed sheet-metal cabin (Cabina); added reverse gear.
FLi / Li 175 Series	1959 – 1963	Scooter handlebars	400 kg	Upgraded 12V electronics; first major global export success.
Lambro 200 / 450 / 550	1963 – 1967	Scooter handlebars	450 – 550 kg	Official “Lambro” rebranding; 200cc engines introduced; single central headlight.
Lambro 550M / 600V	1967 – 1971	Steering wheel	550 – 600 kg	Modern square-cab design; engine moved outside cabin to cut noise and smell.

Ultimate versatility

Factory & third-party modifications

One of the key reasons the Lambro became a massive commercial hit was its incredible flexibility. Innocenti sold the vehicle as a bare chassis, allowing third-party coachbuilders to adapt it for specialized tasks.

Municipal garbage tippers

Utilized heavily by small Italian villages with narrow, winding medieval streets where full-size refuse trucks could not pass.

“Fire-Fly” fire trucks

Custom-built versions outfitted with water pumps, ladders, axes, and twin chemical fire extinguishers.

Mobile shops

Configured into ice cream vans, street-food stalls, and mobile market displays — a shop that drove itself to its customers.

1972 and beyond

The second life: the Indian legacy

By the early 1970s, the rise of affordable consumer cars like the Fiat 500 caused scooter and light-trike sales to plummet in Europe. Facing financial ruin, Innocenti ceased all Italian manufacturing in 1971–1972.

However, the Lambro did not die. In 1972, the Indian Government stepped in and bought the entire Milanese manufacturing plant, tooling, and rights. They dismantled the factory, shipped it to Uttar Pradesh, and created Scooters India Limited (SIL).

SIL continued producing the Lambro three-wheeler frame for decades under the iconic domestic brand name Vikram, keeping the post-war Italian design alive well into the late 1990s and early 2000s.