T U R I S M O IN L A M B R E T T A
"From Venice you bring back filigree works, from Naples you bring back shells, from Florence embroideries and Tironi brought back from the Arctic regions two gorgeous whale teeth."
Some additional data:
This is the first paragraph of the account about the adventurous journey
to Cape North by the Lambretta rider Giancarlo Tironi from Trieste written
by the Italian journalist Cappellini and published in the "Notiziario Lambretta"
in December 1949.
There is no place on earth which has not been reached by the mythical
Lambretta scooters and thus our project to reach Cape North, which is considered
a myth in its own right, is not based on the aim of being "the first",
nor could we claim this kind of record. The real aim is however to commemorate
and acknowledge the value of this unique undertaking in a heroic period
and especially the fact that it has been carried out with robust but certainly
not very tested vehicles, like the Lambretta 125 B of 1949 and the model
125 C of 1950, owned by Marino Cos and Aldo Zidaric both from Trieste,
who reached Cape North in 1950.
In this context we also have to remember Carlo Guzzi who reached Cape
North in the 30’s and thus wanted to demonstrate the robustness of his
motorcycle adequately equipped for this arctic enterprise.
Despite my various experiences in the desert and despite the fact I
crossed the Sahara more than 17 times and made countless journeys through
the Tenere, the Kalahari and the Syrian desert with various kinds of 4x4
(Campagnola, Toyota, Land Rover, Uaz), I have never been so far North.
All of a sudden I feel an unexpected attraction to the mythical place in
the North and in a short time the project takes shape: a few words to friends
at the Lambretta Club Italy and then with a handshake we make the committment
to reach Cape North "at all costs".
Our goal is to revive with dignity the fame of models which have left
their mark on the history of motor-scooters, created by a company which
was to become an Italian industrial group, active on an international level,
and which were useful means for work, leisure-time and freedom-seeking.
The goal is also to evaluate – after 50 years – the reliability of
these "dwarfs" on two wheels which are "giants" of robustness.
I have to admit that taking the first Lambretta model constructed by
Innocenti to Cape North is also a way of acknowledging that this industry
situated in Milan has done good work from the start. I found the Lambretta
model M of 1947, which is better known as model A, about 10 years ago in
bits and pieces in a garage. I have painstakingly restored it with the
aim of letting it experience once more the reassembly of its parts, at
a time when this seemed an improbable achievement. This is also the reason
for my committment to take it with all its original parts to a place where
maybe it has never been in its previous "life".
On July 29th the group, formed by Lambretta drivers all past their
thirties, will start off from Paullo, where the Lambretta Club Italy is
located, to reach the Maloia pass and then go on to Hamburg, Copenhagen
and further north past the Arctic Circle to the geographic location of
our dreams. It will then return to Milan at the end of August, always on
the Lambretta scooters.
During the journey support will be guaranteed by a well-equipped camper
which serves as hotel and restaurant at all stages, while a van with a
huge fuel tank never lets the group out of sight during the day. This van
will also carry our luggage, the tools and grant us technical assistance,
if the need for repairs should arise. Both of them will be linked and keep
constant contact with the group by means of a radio. The Lambretta "pioneers"
will carry only a bag of tools for rapid repairs, a bottle of fuel, a spare
tyre and overalls against unexpected showers which are inevitable in the
countries we intend to cross.
The participants of today will have many advantages over the "raid
men" of the fifties but also some disadvantages. Certainly roads are better,
there are more petrol stations and at night there will be a fully equipped
camper which will serve as a resting point and help avoid wasting time
in search of hotels. Moreover travelling in a group means more fun and
the possibility of sharing toil and joy.
The negative aspects compared to our predecessors are the – sorry to
say – age of the participants and the scarce time we have at our disposal,
which means we will be forced to cover an average of about 400 km (245
miles) per day. There is also the fact that we are not used to such low
speeds during long journeys and, last but not least, the total lack of
technical assistance from Innocenti which in the mid-fifties had a widespread
assistance network in Europe and also in large parts of the world.
Particular attention will be dedicated to not wasting time unnecessarily.
For this reason the assistance van will directly refurbish the Lambretta
scooters with previously prepared fuel. The rolling hotel/restaurant will
provide with food our "hikers at the end of their forces" and with their
lower back on fire. Needless to say that the menu will certainly often
consist of spaghetti and Italian Lambrusco wine, while a valid cook will
be part of the staff.
Prior to starting, the Lambrettas, which are all current models and
still retain their original parts, have been overhauled completely and
with great care, they will be equipped with special protection devices
at the handles in order to protect the hands from the cold once the Arctic
Circle will be reached. Moreover, the personal equipment of the participants
will include warm clothing, overalls against the rain as well as gloves
and protective glasses; veteran helmets and an elastic band will complete
their clothing. An exception from originality will be permitted to the
Lambretta A which will be fitted with 8” wheels instead of 7"! To be ready
for every eventuality we will carry with us spare parts for the most likely
types of repairs; we will also equip ourselves with the parts which might
"give way" for reasons of wear and tear: tongs, torsion bars, cables, points,
coils, gaskets, spark-plugs and spare inner tubes of the tyres.
Staff:
At Cape North we will leave a plate in memory of Tironi, Cos, Zidaric
– naturally mentioning Lambretta Club Italy.