1957 TV 175 Series 1
 Here is an updated version of the scooter
 
Has won 'Best restored' at the Isle of Elba rally 2006.
See below for full history of the resto.
 
I have never known any Lambretta enthusiast who don't like the series 1 TV 175. Although features a surely well made line, I think people likes it because represents the "trait d'union" between the old and the new Lambretta era. I have read in different places, as I wasn't there at the moment, that made some rumors when lauched which is easy to believe, if you consider that till that moment scooterists were only offered with the not really impressive performances of the LD 150. And also this Lambretta mount this unique engine block, which has been a pain for the owners of the period  but, as often happens with old car and bikes made in not great number for a wrong concept, is now very much attractive and collectable.   
With these premises I must say that I had been dreaming to own one for ages, but even if I'm into the scene since 1982 it never happened to find the classical bargain; really I'd never found one for sale, sometimes for a matter of minutes at a fair.   
I was no longer thinking at this; no more free space to store scooters and also prices growing up constantly in recent times let me leave the idea to add this model to my collection.  
I have been lucky this time; at the end of 1999 Sticky of Scootering Magazine during a trip down Italy comes to my house for a feature of the Racing Replica Lambrettas I have just restored and talking with me asks if I am planning to add some scooters to my collection. Of course my answer is that there is something I would: a model A and a series 1 TV 175, but considering the exorbitant prices they have reached I don't think this can happen.  
Many people keep in touch with me after the issue of the article to congratulate, among them my great and long time friend Frans Hollander, President of Lambretta Club Nederland, who tells me he has read of my ancient desire of owning a TV 175 and I have no longer to look for it as he got one complete and taken apart and if I want it's mine as he his fed up with restorations. Of course I want it! After some time and important facts in my life, among with the birth of my son, during the last month of March he tells me to come to Italy for the Reggio Emilia fair and with the help of another Dutch enthusiast he can carry the scooter with him. The meeting has been planend and finally I now own the beloved scooter that I will restore in the short time between a change of napkin or feeding the baby. 
 
How it was found by Frans Hollander
 
Update 26/02/2003
It's a long time since I took the scooter home, but having spent some time finishing other projects and really limited free time the restoration is not finished already. However I haven't forgotten it; in the meanwhile I've in fact rebuilt the engine. This was laying in a corner of the garage covered with dust, so I've decided to give it a strip and a polish of what seemed to be sealed on it. Must be said that it was the first time rebuilding a TV 1 engine and if on one side I enjoyed it because I was working on something different from the later engines I have been only working on, on the other side it let me understand why this kind of engine has been immediately abandoned by Innocenti because of discutible technical solutions. For example the shaft that actionate the clutch, operate on a very small cast-iron ball; while re-mounting the engine I thought I have done something wrong, but after having a look at the various manuals I realized I wa right and this let me hope this will not give me troubles while using the bike. Then the body has been taken to the painter. I know this is one the hardest part of a restoration, not meaning it is complicated, but really hard is having the painted bike back from him! He also has no excuses, the good mate Frans also gave me some original Lechler ivory paint for it. On the rebuild I've replaced the shattered piston with a NOS Asso 60.4 mm diameter while I left the original crahkshaft because it was in excellent condition. This let me think that even if the bike hasn't been properly stored during the years as can be easily seen in the picture, it has covered relatively few miles in his active life, and this is confirmed by the fact that the original pison was still mounted on the bike; it was damaged but not seized. Another technical note, even if I'm not an engineer, is that crankshaft bearing are under dimensioned.
 
Update 03/12/03
After a remarkable period of time, the bike is finally painted! I have an agreement with the sprayer I have to do the preparation myself because he has no time to work on my bikes, but he's so good doing his job that I agree. Two weeks of hard work, no lunch because I do my usual work from 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and then rush at his workshop to work on the bike, pink colour worn fingers due to the use of sand-paper but at least the result is excellent, as you'll see from pics I will soon put on line. I have also promised Frans he will have a go on the bike when he will be in Italy for Reggio Emilia jumble, usually in late March early April so can't loose my time I have to get it rebuilt for that date. And finally had a look at the box of parts he gave me, and realized the bike is mostly complete, Frans even managed to find the more that rare rear light lense now remade but not at the time he found the bike! I know there is someone often looking at this page for updates, sadly reporting his father no news on it eh Aad? I am doing my best now to have it sorted out for Reggio Emilia, so if you're coming yourself you're invited to have a go on it. It's definitely a fantastic Lambretta I can't stand having a go myself!
 Update 02/02/04
Here are the first pics of the scooter painted; I am just waiting to complete the rebuild of the SX200 with sidecar and it will be its time. What's amazing is that this bike is completely different from any other Lambretta so it's completely new to me. At the moment I am having some parts re-chromed or zinc plated  or the alloy parts are being polished. Honestly it is the longest restoration I've ever done, but I'm sure it will be worth while in the end!
 
Update 11/02/05
I have now really started the rebuild, here are some shots of the actual state, but I'm now working solid on it so hopefully this will be finished soon