The history

Ferdinando Innocenti builds a major company in steel tubing, scaffolding and heavy machinery in Lambrate, Milan.

Inspired by Allied Cushman scooters in liberated Rome, Innocenti begins development of a civilian scooter with Gen. Pier Luigi Torre.

Innocenti regains full control of the bombed Lambrate factory and converts it for scooter production.

Rear suspension, Teleflex hand gear change and 8-inch wheels. First exports to Argentina; production reaches 50 scooters a day.

13 world records on the Rome–Ostia road in February; 33 world records in 24 hours at Montlhéry in March. The first three-wheeler, the 125 FB, appears.

The 125 C and the fully enclosed LC are launched alongside the FC three-wheeler. Production and exports expand rapidly.

A licence is granted to NSU in Germany. The 125 D and LD Series I arrive with torsion-bar rear suspension. Commercial imports to the USA begin.

Basque industrialists found Lambretta Locomociones SA in June and build a factory in Eibar. The Lambro 125 FD Series I is launched in Italy.

Spanish production begins; the first Spanish models shown at the Barcelona Show are still Italian-built. The pull-cord start 125 E is a short-lived failure.

The Spanish factory starts full 125/150 production, NSU launches its own "Luxury Lambretta", and French production begins at Troyes. Italy adds the 125 F, 150 D/LD Series II and electric-start LDA.

Innocenti establishes its own American division with a massive advertising campaign. The 150 LDA Series II (12-volt), the Lambretta 48 moped and the 150 FD Series II arrive.

The NSU licence expires and the German scooter is renamed NSU Prima. Lambretta SA (later Pasco) begins production in Brazil. The 150 D Series III is launched.

125/150 LD Series III and the first 175 TV Series I introduce a new philosophy of higher performance. German production ends after more than 189,000 units.

LD production ends. The LI 125/150 Series I brings a new shaft-drive engine generation.

The LI Series II with turning headlight becomes the best-selling Lambretta of all time, joined by the TV Series II. In the USA, a Playboy cover and 350 dealers mark the peak years.

Spanish production exceeds 50,000 units. The Lambro 175 FLI Series II becomes the most successful three-wheeler. French production at Troyes ends in November.

The LI Series III "Scooterlinea" begins, with its slimmer, faster silhouette.

The TV Series III becomes the first production scooter in the world with a front disc brake.

Created mainly for the British market, alongside the LI 150 Special ("Pacemaker") and the Lambro 200.

The J50 and Cento open the J-range of smaller, lighter machines.

The SX 125 Special is launched with the Lambro 450 and 550. In Spain the Scooterlinea range begins and Serveta SA takes over commercial activities.

The SX 150 and the Lambrettino moped join the range; Spain launches the Jet 200 and 150 Special.

The commercial range grows as Innocenti leans further into three-wheeled transport.

Bertone-styled small scooters arrive with the Lambro 550 A. In the USA remaining stock is dumped at very low prices.

The GP / DL 125, 150 and 200 — the final and best-known Italian generation — arrive with the Lambro 500 ML, 550 M and 550 V.

The last full model year of Italian production.

The Lambro 600 V is the last model. The final Innocenti Lambretta leaves Lambrate and the complete tooling is sold to Scooters India Ltd.

Scooters India Ltd starts production with Italian technical assistance, building GP-based models and later the Cento — the last global producer of classic Lambrettas.

The Swiss company that will hold and rebuild the trademarks is established.

Spanish production, moved to Amurrio in 1985, ceases in 1989/1990 — a longer run than the original Italian production.

Innocenti car production under British Leyland, then De Tomaso, then Fiat comes to an end.

Lambretta S.A. is incorporated into the new Lugano entity and the first modern scooter, the Pato, is launched.

Liliana Querci Innocenti officially assigns the combined "Lambretta / Innocenti" Italian trademark to the Swiss company.

Innocenti S.A. (Lugano) is the global owner of Innocenti, Lambretta and Lambro, continuing the legacy with new products under the three brand pillars.