If it sounds unbelievable that a company born to make steel tubing ended up building the Italian Mini — get ready. This is the story of Innocenti: how to turn sheet metal into legend, with a bit of Milanese ingenuity, a dash of design, and a few rounds of musical chairs with the Brits (and the Japanese — and Fiat, too).
In 1933, Ferdinando Innocenti — a Tuscan entrepreneur transplanted to Milan — founded “Fratelli Innocenti,” a company specializing in the production of steel tubing. Based in the Lambrate district, it quickly grew into a heavyweight of mechanical engineering. But World War II changed everything: the factories were damaged, the civilian market collapsed, and reinvention became a necessity.
And that’s how one of the most brilliant industrial intuitions of the 20th century was born.
Tubular Origins (Quite Literally)
In 1933, Ferdinando Innocenti — a Tuscan entrepreneur transplanted to Milan — founded “Fratelli Innocenti,” a company specializing in the production of steel tubing. Based in the Lambrate district, it quickly grew into a heavyweight of mechanical engineering. But World War II changed everything: the factories were damaged, the civilian market collapsed, and reinvention became a necessity.
And that’s how one of the most brilliant industrial intuitions of the 20th century was born.
The Lambretta: A Working-Class Scooter (With Style)
It’s 1947. Italy is in ruins, but it needs to get moving. Cars are a luxury, roads are full of potholes, and trains run… when they do. What’s needed is something cheap, nimble, and tough. Something that can carry two people — and maybe a sack of potatoes.Enter the Lambretta scooter, launched by Innocenti, engineered by Cesare Pallavicino and designed by Pier Luigi Torre. The name? It comes from the Lambro River, which runs near the factory.Unlike its rival, the Vespa, the Lambretta featured a tubular frame and a more “masculine,” almost military look. It wasn’t as chic, but it was more technical — and beloved precisely for that. It was the scooter of workers, suburban kids, London Mods, and Italian students in jackets and ties.
Lambretta M (Model A) – 1947
- The very first model.
- 123 cc, minimal design and central beam frame.
- Open-frame chassis, designed to be accessible even for skirt-wearers (a revolutionary feature for its time).
Lambretta B / C / LC / LD – 1948–1957
- Evolutionary lineup with improved suspension and comfort.
- LD (1951): one of the longest-running and most popular models.
- Introduction of the 150cc engine and versions with electric start.
Lambretta D (and TV 175 Series 1) – 1951–1958
- Tubular frame, tougher look.
- TV 175 (1957): the first small-wheeled “granturismo,” considered the world’s first GT scooter.
- Upgraded brakes, higher-performance suspension.
Lambretta Series 1, 2, 3 – 1958–1971
- These are the iconic series, especially Series 3, also known as the LI.
- Main models: LI 125 / LI 150 – TV 175 / TV 200 – SX 150 / SX 200 – DL/GP 125, 150, 200 (1969–1971): last series produced, with a modern, aggressive style signed by Nuccio Bertone.
Lambretta Special / Golden / Silver Special – 1960s
- Sporty and elegant versions with new colors and finishes.
- Derived from the LI, but with aesthetic and mechanical improvements.
Lambretta Vega / Lui – 1968–1969
- Futuristic design by Bertone, aimed at a young audience.
- Models: – Lambretta Lui 50C / 50CL / 75CL – Vega 75S / Cometa.
- A commercial flop, but now a cult collector’s item.
Foreign models (produced under license):
- Lambretta GP (UK) – Version of the DL, beloved by the stylish British “Mods.”
- Lambretta Serveta (Spain) – Long-running production of the LI and Jet 200 versions.
- Lambretta API (India) – Production continued until the ’90s, with various local redesigns.
The Lambretta is Italian history, but it was also exported all over the world — produced under license in India, Spain, Argentina, and even Brazil. Alongside icons like the Fiat 500 and the Vespa, it became a symbol of postwar reconstruction, appeared in dozens of films, and still inspires collectors, clubs, and rallies around the world today.
In the 1960s, Innocenti decided that two wheels weren’t enough — it was time to go four. Thanks to a deal with the British Motor Corporation, the company began building the Mini in Italy, the brilliant creation of Alec Issigonis. But of course, being good Italians, Innocenti made it better: more refined interiors, polished finishes, details that made it… more Milanese.
In 1974, after the British Leyland chaos, it was up to Bertone to redesign the Mini: thus came the Nuova Mini, with a boxier body, recessed headlights, and a certain Italian je ne sais quoi. But the financial troubles kept piling up.
Then Came the Mini (and the Trouble)
In the 1960s, Innocenti decided that two wheels weren’t enough — it was time to go four. Thanks to a deal with the British Motor Corporation, the company began building the Mini in Italy, the brilliant creation of Alec Issigonis. But of course, being good Italians, Innocenti made it better: more refined interiors, polished finishes, details that made it… more Milanese.
In 1974, after the British Leyland chaos, it was up to Bertone to redesign the Mini: thus came the Nuova Mini, with a boxier body, recessed headlights, and a certain Italian je ne sais quoi. But the financial troubles kept piling up.
De Tomaso, Daihatsu, and Fiat: The Grand (Not-So-Happy) Finale
In 1976, the company was acquired by Alejandro De Tomaso, an Argentine entrepreneur obsessed with sports cars. This led to the Mini De Tomaso — a sporty version with alloy wheels, spoilers, and bold interiors (pure ’80s energy).Then came the Daihatsu engines and models like the Innocenti Minitre and Elba — compact city cars built to survive the market. In 1990, Fiat acquired the brand, but never truly believed in it. In 1993, production ceased. Game over.
Historic Four-Wheeled Models (For Completionists)
- Innocenti Mini (1965–1974): the Mini in a tailored Italian coat.
- Nuova Mini Bertone (1974–1982): modernized and boxy — very ’70s.
- Mini De Tomaso (1983–1988): with spoilers, stripes, and sporty dreams.
- Minitre and Mille (1980s): compact survival machines.
- Elba and Koral: built in collaboration with Yugo and Fiat. For true automotive archaeologists.
To really say all that needs to be said, you should know that the term “lambrettista” is still used today to identify die-hard fans of the Lambrate scooter.
Also worth knowing: Milan still has an active Lambretta Club, with almost religious-level restorers.
Movies, songs, literature — the Lambretta has spawned loads of pop culture. We love it, and we love the rivalry with the iconic Vespa, too.
The former is better on rough terrain, the latter more agile. The former has a central engine, the latter a side-mounted one — which made the Vespa a bit unbalanced.
Rumor had it the Lambretta was “too soft,” and sure, the Vespa won the market battle — but we don’t care about that nonsense.
In their healthy rivalry, the two most famous two-wheelers in Italy sparked some serious innovation — not just in engineering, but in ways of life.
Also worth knowing: Milan still has an active Lambretta Club, with almost religious-level restorers.
Movies, songs, literature — the Lambretta has spawned loads of pop culture. We love it, and we love the rivalry with the iconic Vespa, too.
The former is better on rough terrain, the latter more agile. The former has a central engine, the latter a side-mounted one — which made the Vespa a bit unbalanced.
Rumor had it the Lambretta was “too soft,” and sure, the Vespa won the market battle — but we don’t care about that nonsense.
In their healthy rivalry, the two most famous two-wheelers in Italy sparked some serious innovation — not just in engineering, but in ways of life.
