On the Isle of Wight, one scooter stands out among the rest: a Lambretta Series 1 that has heads turning and jaws dropping… Stu Smith reports.
It’s hard not to notice Ashley Mullens as he cruises past on his porcelain green and Old English white Lambretta Series 1, which is a lovingly restored slice of vintage classic Italian styling. For Ashley, scooters started as a way to get from A to B, so with that in mind, his first scooter was a Vespa PX125, which he bought in 2008. At the time, it was a practical choice and a handy means of transport for getting about to do his building work. But as often happens with scooters, practicality soon gave way to passion, and after riding the scooter for a while, it wasn’t long before he got into the scene through seeing the Isle of Wight rally and listening to the music.
Like so many riders, it was the mix of culture, community and camaraderie that drew him in, and his Isle of Wight rally experiences were soon followed by Hayling Island, which left a lasting impression. “The atmosphere was amazing; everyone was made to feel welcome, the staff were great, and it was brilliant to meet new friends and talk about their scooters.”
Enjoy more Scootering Magazine reading every month.
Click here to subscribe & save.
The seed had been planted, and Ashley soon found himself fully immersed in scooter culture.
Vision
If you ask Ashley what his favourite model of scooter is, the answer is immediate: the Lambretta Series 1. Ashley had been on the hunt for one such model for nearly eight years before he finally found the right machine in November 2021. “There’s something about the lines of the Series 1 that makes it so attractive.” He explained.
The scooter he eventually tracked down was a 1959 Lambretta Series 1 Li 125. As with many vintage machines, what he bought wasn’t quite the vision he had in mind, but it made the perfect platform. There was some work to do, but Ashley had a clear plan and knew what he was seeking to achieve.
The process wasn’t just about restoration; it was about refinement, and for Ashley, the scooter had to carry the true vintage aesthetic of the early ‘60s, which meant making deliberate choices within every detail. Bringing the machine to life was no small task, as when the scooter came in its original version, it came with features that clashed with the look Ashley wanted.
Having bought the scooter, Ashley discovered that the side panels were full of filler and, as a result, the corresponding embellishers he’d planned to fit wouldn’t fit. After a chat with local expert Mike Wrattan, Ashley sourced a new set of original Italian panels, which was one of the first steps towards achieving the authentic period finish.
She’s got the look…
The scooter also came with a tired white bench seat, which again clashed head-on with the vintage look and had to go. However, Ashley took advantage of the situation and commissioned a specialist to create a pair of matching twin seats, which add presence to the look of the machine and a return to the period style.
The front wheel set-up was a modern-style affair consisting of a disc brake and pepper-pot hub. Again, with the guidance of Mike, an original hub was sourced, and the SIP tyres were replaced with Continentals, all of which brought the front end of the scooter back in line with the prescribed re-styling refinements.
Staying at the front end, the scooter had been fitted with a digital speedo, which was clipped to the handlebars; again, it had to go. The headset has now been returned to its original 1959 state, with the place for the speedo being capped off; as in the day, a speedometer was an expensive optional extra.
Accessory-wise, to lift the period look to the next level, Ashley added a diving lady mascot to the top of the front mudguard. “She sits in pride of place, just behind the embellisher, and makes an elegant alternative to the Rolls Royce or Jaguar mascots that, back in the day, the kids would nick and add to their scooters. I initially considered adding one of those, but when I put them against the scooter, to me, they just screamed out, ‘car’. I first saw a diving lady on a fella’s scooter at the Isle of Wight rally, and I knew it would make the perfect addition to mine. I eventually found one on the internet, and now she’s quite often the center of attention.” Ashley smiled.
Finally, the back end of the scooter had been fitted with a white rear carrier rack, which again didn’t look right, so that was removed and changed to a neat period sprint rack.
The paintwork throughout is striking and complements the colour scheme. Ashley also has a pair of colour-coordinated helmets, one of which is for his wife, Denise, for when she’s riding pillion with him.
Aesthetic details aside, the scooter also carries an engine set-up that’s more than capable of handling modern roads. The heart of the machine is a Mugello 225 kit, complemented by a Mec crank, a 30mm Dellorto carb and a 42mm Clubman exhaust. A GP200 gearbox ensures smooth shifting, while BGM shocks improve the ride quality without compromising the scooter’s vintage appeal; despite these modifications, the ride remains smooth and unaggressive.
Recognition
If Ashley’s goal was to create a head-turning scooter, he’s certainly succeeded. Since its completion, he has already picked up several awards, including the highly coveted Punter’s Choice and Exhibitor’s Choice at the Isle of Wight 2025 National Rally, which are clear endorsements and recognition of the attention to detail and the work Ashley has put into creating the scooter.
For Ashley, though, the scooter scene is about much more than trophies. “The best part of rallies is the social side: the atmosphere, seeing other people’s scooters, catching up with friends and making new ones at every event, big or small, carries that same energy of shared passion, so we must make sure that we keep supporting the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to organise scooter events, because without them the scene just wouldn’t exist.”
There’s something timeless about a Lambretta Series 1, and Ashley’s scooter captures that spirit perfectly. It’s a machine that blends history with individuality, performance with style, and nostalgia and the joy of the open road. Compliments flow freely whenever Ashley takes his scooter out; riders and enthusiasts alike are drawn to its clean lines, period styling, and the obvious care that’s been put into developing every detail.
Ashley’s journey into the scooter scene started with a humble Vespa PX125, and over the years it has moved to a show-winning Lambretta, which in itself, speaks volumes about the habit that scooters have of pulling people in and developing a connection to a community, culture, craft, and fellowship, and for Ashley, that’s a passion achieved.
Words: Stu Smith
Photos: Alan Moxon-Waddell
Man and machine
Name: Ashley Mullens
Scooter club & town: Independent Rider, Isle of Wight.
First scooter: A Vespa PX125, which I got in 2008 to use for getting about and doing my building work. I then got into scooters through listening to the music and seeing the Isle of Wight scooter rally over the years.
Most memorable rally: Hayling Island 2016; the atmosphere was amazing, and everyone was made to feel welcome. The staff were great, and it was great to meet new friends and talk about their scooters. It really inspired me and got me fully immersed in the scooter scene.
Name of scooter: Pretty Green, inspired by the colour scheme.
Scooter model: 1959 Lambretta Series 1 Li 125.
Kit: 225 Mugello
Crank: Mec
Carb: 30mm Dellorto
Exhaust: 42mm Clubman
Clutch: MB 5-plate
Gearbox: GP200
Front Brake: Drum
Front suspension: BGM dampers.
Rear suspension: Adjustable shocker.
Seats: Twin colour-coordinated one-off customs.
Paintwork by: Side panels by Adam (formerly of Prices Garage, Newport, Isle of Wight).
Specialised parts: Diving Lady front mudguard mascot, period embellishers, and various chrome and stainless accessories.
Thanks to: Adam (formerly of Price’s Garage, Newport, Isle of Wight) for the side panel paintwork, Ben Brodie for the themed painted helmets, Mike Wrattan, Newport, Isle of Wight, for the engine work, and Alan Moxon-Waddell for the photoshoot.
