What's it worth? 1949 Lambretta type A

[willwander]

In cardboard boxes but all there.
I heard it might be worth good money in Europe.

[red devil]

This is a really difficult one to answer Willwander as the A type is so rare the amount of money involved is fairly serious!
The fact that it's in boxes will obviously effect the price as it will probably cost around £2000 to get it back on the road in a fully restored state.
I'm going to stick my neck out and say £4000-£5000!!(to someone who knows the value of such things). But I'm probably completely wrong!
I am sure it would be worth more over in Italy.
One other thing 1949 is late for an A model, by this time the B model was well into production is the date correct?

[willwander]

Thanks for the reply.
I'm asking for an old chap I know who is looking for a new owner, I think the date is correct but I would have to do some checks on the model, what's the best way to identify an A? frame numbers? I think he is also a bit uncertain, he believes it to be an A as he also has a Type B!

[red devil]

There are a number of ways to distinguish both models and whilst the frames of both look very similar here are a few easy to tell differences;
A model Has 7" wheels
Handlebars with internal cables
Foot gear change
No rear suspension
Engine which is solidly mounted within the frame
Exhaust box mounted longitudinally under the floor

B model Has 8" wheels
Handlebars with external cables
Twist grip gear change
Engine which is solidly mounted within the frame but has an articulated rear section pivoted onto an
enclosed spring which provides rear suspension.

A model frame numbers start from 5001 and B frame numbers from 00001, unfortunately having never seen the location of either model numbers I can't tell you were to look other than somewhere down near the exhaust..... perhaps!!!
For dating purposes the A model was intrduced in late 1947 and 152 machines were built before the years end, 9517 were built in 1948.A total of 9669.
The B model was introduced in late 1948 and 1854 were built in that year. 31320 were built the following year and production finished in January 1950 with a further 1840 being built that month, this gives a total of 35014. Quite a popular machine!
Whatever the outcome this is certainly a significant and exciting find as neither models were ever imported into this country and attempting to find them in Italy would be very difficult......and expensive!
I hope you have the opportunity to take a number of photos of them in situ and get the full history from the owner before he sells them.

Hope to see you at Santa Pod.

Frank.