A masterclass in design, detail, and British flair, Mark Levell has created a machine that could park just as easily outside a Savile Row tailor as it could on the promenade at Brighton. Stu Smith reports…
For anyone who knows Mark Levell, design has always been more than a job; it’s a way of seeing the world. Back in 1975, when he was a wide-eyed fifteen-year-old wandering the streets of Stourbridge, the first scooter he ever saw left a lasting impression on him. “I remember the chrome and mirrors, and the rider’s Docs and Levis; I was hooked. But when I told my parents I wanted one, they refused, saying, “If I crashed, I’d cut myself to bits on the glass from the mirrors and lights!” So, like many teenagers of the time, Mark turned to bikes, starting small on a Yamaha FS1E and then an RD250. But the scooter bug had already bitten.
By 1978, Mark was studying graphic design at Stourbridge Art College, and the Mod revival was in full swing. “Quadrophenia did it for me; I was captured by the style, the culture, the detail, and before long, I had my first Lambretta covered in lights, chrome, and rattle-can paint.”
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Fast forward to today, and that early fascination with detail and design has evolved into something remarkable. Mark’s latest project is a full custom scooter that’s a tribute to the legendary British designer, Sir Paul Smith. The inspiration struck not in a studio or showroom, but in a pub. “I was at The Garrison in Merry Hill, and I spotted Heath Brettal wearing a pair of Paul Smith trainers. I looked at them and thought, “That’s it!” – the colours, the stripes, and the mix of class were perfect.
Fashion Meets Function
From that point, Mark’s background in art, design, and branding kicked into overdrive, and he began to research ideas that fused Paul Smith’s design ethos: bold and balanced, refined into a two-wheeled masterpiece.
The scooter’s concept blends race-inspired precision with fashion-house sophistication. The design revolves around contrasts, which include brushed aluminium against soft copper accents, deep satin grey set beside white striping, and, of course, those unmistakable Paul Smith stripes, weaving through the panels like the signature on a limited-edition print.
Working alongside his long-time collaborator Steve Poole, the pair spent nine months refining every curve and contour. “We didn’t just want another paint job with stripes; it had to feel engineered. Like Paul Smith’s tailoring; clean lines, perfect cuts, and no compromise.”
The brushed metal finish throughout alone took several attempts to perfect and had to be developed to give an engineered, not ‘blinged’, effect, and the result is a raw race-style surface that manages to look both industrial and elegant.
Craftsmanship Meets Performance
Of course, looks will only get you so far, and as we all know, the true soul of any scooter sits beneath the panels. Here, Mark turned to his tried and tested pal, Carl Neath, who hand-built a Quattrini 230cc power plant. The kit works in harmony with a 28mm Dellorto carb and a PM Fat Mamba pipe, delivering assertive performance that makes every twist of the throttle a reward. A GP200 gearbox ensures seamless power delivery, and the BGM suspension keeps it all planted.
Describing the ride, Mark said, “It’s smooth, quick, and vibration-free. It’s probably the best scooter I’ve ever ridden. Everything just feels right; balanced and composed.”
The engine area itself is as artful as the exterior. Brushed chrome, copper highlights, and gold accents glint behind carefully cut side panels, giving glimpses of mechanical beauty that echo Paul Smith’s love of exposed detail in design. “It’s a nod to transparency, you show the craftsmanship; you don’t hide it.” Mark smiled.
Playful Touches
A tribute to Paul Smith wouldn’t be complete without a touch of humour, something both the designer and the builder share. “Design should make you smile; it’s about the unexpected.”
Take the rear footboards, for instance. A subtle yellow paint drip runs down from the side panel stripe, as though the scooter itself has been freshly painted and hasn’t quite dried. There’s a trainer-style lace pull by the registration plate, a nod to those iconic Paul Smith sneakers that sparked the whole concept, and even the spark plug holder is designed like an accessory: brushed chrome with a matching plug spanner, tucked neatly into the frame as if it were a cufflink.
Then there are the clothing brand badges, which are small but deliberate, taken from Mark’s own Paul Smith garments and repurposed onto the seat and petrol cap cover. “It’s a blend of fashion and mechanics. Who says you can’t wear your wardrobe on your scooter?”
The fine metal-flake paint shimmers like tailored fabric under sunlight, while the copper plating adds warmth that balances the cooler tones of the chrome. “It’s all about the mix, it’s like pairing a loud shirt with a classic jacket; if it’s done right, it sings,” Mark explained.
Engineering Elegance
Peek a little closer, and the precision continues. The side panels feature cut-away sections that reveal the engine’s curves around the gearbox and flywheel, which is a visual echo of Paul Smith’s ‘show the inside’ philosophy. Underneath the flywheel side panel sits a reserve plastic fuel can, neatly mounted on the rear wheel mudguard, with a Paul Smith towel tucked nearby for clean-hand pit stops. “Practicality can still look good, so when I’m topping up fuel, I might as well do it in style.”
Even the lighting carries thought: the nearside running light sits in a race position, an intentional nod to Mark’s favourite endurance machine, the Vespa Faro Basso. The Cool Italia mini fly-screen is part of Mark’s own brand line and bears a pair of eyes wearing Paul Smith sunglasses: cheeky, smart, and unmistakably British.
Further details around the scooter include studs on the rear brake pedal for a rally-ready edge, and the zebra and monkey motifs integrate subtly into the flow of the design, balancing race energy with refined sophistication. “It’s about movement and a sense that the scooter is never standing still, even when it’s parked.”
A Lifelong Ride
The background to Mark’s scooter story isn’t new. He’s been through the rallies, the rebuilds, the breakdowns, and the bus-stop overnighters. “Rhyl, pouring rain, eighty miles in the dark, soaked to the skin. We ended up sleeping in a bus stop with the scooter. It was miserable, but I’d do it again tomorrow.”
Those experiences forged the attitude that runs through every nut and bolt of this Paul Smith tribute. Whilst Mark doesn’t do shows, the craftsmanship and coherence of this build could stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best. It was at Scarborough in 1981 that Mark saw a custom scooter called Highway to Hell that had a lasting effect on him, and that’s probably been subconsciously carried forward through the years into the inspiration for this and his other machines.
Mark’s advice to anyone dreaming of building their own custom project is simple: patience and persistence. “Be ready to undo what you’ve already done; it’s frustrating, but essential. You have to see the bigger picture. A dry build is vital. Don’t rush the art.”
Everything about Mark’s scooter is at full throttle. At first sight, onlookers might notice the colour, the balance, and the gleam, but the longer you look, the more you see the playful nods and the craftsmanship of Mark’s designers’ intent, which is woven through every inch of steel and paint.
This machine is a manifesto of design, detail, and personality. It takes the boldness of British fashion and fuses it with the raw heart of scooter engineering, resulting in a scooter that is sharp and polished, which is as much at home on the road or at a rally as it would be in a design museum.
Words: Stu Smith
Photos: Gary Chapman
Early shots: Courtesy of Mark Levell
Acknowledgement: Scootering would like to thank Dez at DiscoDez Scooters for his support with the photoshoot.
Man and machine
Name: Mark Levell
Scooter club & town: B62 and Stourbridge S.C.
First scooter and how did you get into them: Lambretta Li150. The first time I saw a scooter was around 1975, when I was fifteen years old, in my home town of Stourbridge, which made a lasting impression on me. I will always remember just seeing the chrome and mirrors, and the rider’s Docs and Levi’s.
Most memorable scooter event: Scarborough Easter 1981 with my scooter pals. When we got there, I’d never seen anything like it; there must have been around 6000-8000 scooterists.
Name of scooter: Paul Smith tribute.
Scooter model: Lambretta Li Special.
Kit: Quattrini 230cc.
Carb: PHBH 28mm Dellorto.
Exhaust: PM Fat Mamba expansion.
Brakes: A Nissin front disc and standard rear drum.
Time to build: Approximately nine months by Stephen Poole and me.
Seat: Cool Italia.
Paintwork: Mark Levell, Dave Addis, and Doony.
Advice for people starting a project: Be prepared to go back and undo work; it’s very frustrating, but it’s a must to get the best end result.
Thanks to: Stephen Poole for the build; Derek Askill and Disco Dez for supplying such a scooter. We had to be at our best to get it to where it is today, and really had to step up to the challenge.
Article originally appeared in Scootering Mag August 2026 issue. To subscribe with a great offer and get your mag delivered visit HERE
