1969 Lambretta Calendar

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Nothing captures the zeitgeist of the 1960s more suitably than the Italian-made Lambretta scooter. This 1969 calendar from the classic manufacturer captures the bikes that were seen as fashion accessories rather than modes of transport.
Adding to the sixties vibe, models pose on the bikes in bikinis and floral prints, exuding the feminine confidence of that period's sexual revolution.

Zeitgeist: A calendar from Italian scooter manufacturer Lambretta, who began manufacturing the scooters in 1947, taking its name from the Lambro river in Milan

Hippy: The calendar bears the Lambretta logo with the word 'Innocenti', a reference to Ferdenando Innocenti, Lambretta's founder

Lambretta and its main Italian rival Vespa, produced bikes that were easy to use and accessible which were pounced upon by younger generations as a primary form of transport.
Scooters were synonymous with the mod subculture that boomed in London between the 1950s and 60s. An Italian scooter was often the must-have accessory, along with a sharp, tailored suit and a love of ska and soul for any would-be mod.
More important than the scooter's functionality was its standing as a fashion symbol.
Youths soon began to customise the bikes with personal logos and designs and adding features such as racks, mirrors and lights.

Stylish: The bikes became hugely popular in the 1950s and 1960s, pounced upon by youths as a cheap and stylish method of transport

Mod: The bikes also became synonymous with the UK's mod movement

Quadrophenia, the classic album by mod high kings The Who, featured a Vespa scooter on its front cover. The album was later turned into to a film in 1979, loosely based on the album, starring Phil Daniels as lead character Jimmy. The symbolic scooter took pride of place in the film's plot, with Jimmy riding a Lambretta Li 150 Series 3.

Takeover: In 1972, state-run Indian company Scooters India Ltd. bought the entire company and moved operations to the country

Despite riding a wave of popularity in the 1960s, Lambretta's fortunes were to prove short-lived. In 1972, state-run Indian company Scooters India Ltd. bought the entire company and moved operations to that  country. Production continued, peaking in 1980-1981 when 35,000 scooters were built.  Despite their decreasing presence in everyday western life, the Lambretta scooter is still cherished by sixties obsessives, with collectors and scooter clubs around the world.

Collector item: The bikes are still hugely popular among 1960s enthusiasts, with collectors and clubs dotted around the world

Cover: The 1969 calendar's front cover

L
ambretta scooters - taking their name from the Lambro river in Milan and came into production in 1947, a year after Vespa models hit the streets. Lambrettas were manufactured under licence in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India and Spain.

The calendar bears the Lambretta logo with the word 'Innocenti' below, a reference to Ferdenando Innocenti, Lambretta's owner.

Cult: A scene from cult film Quadrophenia, based on the mod subculture in which Vespa and Lambretta scooters were central