‘Great prop for a cafe’ praises auctioneer as aristocrat’s vintage motorbike with only 261 miles sells for £1000s

A 1959 MOTOR scooter with only 261 miles on the clock has sold for £3,920.

Coming with a 150cc two stroke engine and painted blue and cream with a matching seat, the Lambretta was owned by Lady McAlpine.

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This particular model had never caused trouble, according to its previous owner, and was restored some years ago.

But having been more or less "on display" for several years, Lady McAlpine believed it deserved a better home.

It has now been sold at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire for almost £4,000.

, which listed the Italian motor scooter, said: "This iconic and rare motorcycle would grace any collection or look great as a ‘prop’ for a café or restaurant."

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It added: "Lady McAlpine is only parting with it because she feels it should be driven and she feels happier in a car these days."

The listing also described the Lambretta as "very chic and retro with charm to boot".

However, the iconic scooter does require recommissioning should its new owner want to use it on the road.

The Lambretta was founded just after World War 2 by Ferdinando Innocenti, who saw the potential for an economic means of transport.

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The name is derived from the location of its factory, Lambrate, the east suburb of Milan named after the river Lambro which flows through the area.

During its first ten years of manufacturing, the Lambretta was always grey.

But in 1957, it became enriched with a two-tone finish.

The two rear lids, the front and the handlebar nacelle could be soon be painted in Light Blue, Emerald Green, English Blue or Deep Red.

In December 2022, a pensioner went viral after turning his mobility scooter into a Lambretta lookalike.

Terry Heath, 68, kitted out his four-wheeler with mirrors, lights and flags straight out of 1979 mod flick Quadrophenia.

Elsewhere, the UK’s rarest classic car with 83 motors left on the roads boasts an "outstanding finish" and iconic "yellow & black tartan".

The Opel Kadett made a name for itself in the 1960s and 70s and became the template for fellow General Motors brand Vauxhall’s Chevette.