Sometimes we simply can’t let go of the memories we’ve been left with from a scooter we’ve owned. With that in mind, we asked Stu Smith to find out more about Harry Hartless and his quest to secure the scooter he’d craved for years.
On the face of it, Harry’s GP is a very tidy 80s-inspired street racer, but this is a Lambretta he’s known, and desired, for almost four decades.
How and when did you get into scooters?
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In 1980 when I first saw a group of around 15 ‘junked-out’ Lambrettas being ridden. There was no bodywork, no baffles and no regard whatsoever for man nor beast: I was simultaneously terrified and smitten; from that day on I was hooked. Several years after that, in 1984, I bought my first scooter, a Vespa Primavera ET3. It cost me £80 and it was painted in rattle-can silver with hand-painted dragons.
Tell me about this scooter.
I first set eyes on it in the mid-80s after a school friend of mine, who lived a couple of streets away from where I lived, picked it up for £300. It was a lot to pay, but it was well put together and had just enough accessories and additional chrome features to draw a small crowd of admiring teenagers.
What happened to it after that?
I managed to keep a loose track of its movements and in the 90s I heard through the scooter grapevine that it had been whittled down, near enough, to its bare bones. I made some enquiries and discovered that Tony, its latest owner, was reluctant to let it go because it was also very dear to him. It was, as for me, a fond link back to his teenage Scooterboy years.
How did you come to eventually own the scooter?
Fast forward a couple more decades, I was on the lookout for a nice project and this scooter kept returning to my thoughts. So, in 2019, I picked up the phone and rang Tony. Firmly stating that I wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, I asked him what the best price for the scooter would be. To my surprise he said: “Come round and we’ll have a chat.” In the blink of an eye, I was there, my pockets stuffed with hard-earned cash.
“Despite today’s insane prices, I found that there was a huge amount of goodwill and generosity from people who’ve been in the scene for decades.”
Tell me about the deal.
Because of the sentimental value I was willing to pay a king’s ransom for it. However, Tony is a really decent bloke, and he let me have it for £600. In the deal I also took an Italian disc brake and a few extra parts off his hands (and then got out of there sharpish before he changed his mind!).
What sort of condition was it in?
Alas, the rumours were correct: 36 years on, it had morphed into a shrivelled fossil. However, as well as its forks, the original headset was still with it, along with the horn- cover, toolbox and one of the rear running boards. Unfortunately, the lovely sky-blue paintwork that I recalled so fondly had been sprayed over with a gaudy, fire engine red.
How did you go about returning the scooter to its former glory?
After loading everything up and getting it home, I immediately got on the phone and started to track down as many of the other original parts as possible. After numerous calls and internet searches, I managed to locate all the parts I was looking for, which were then made ready for blasting.
Was the process a struggle?
Despite today’s insane prices, I found that there was a huge amount of goodwill and generosity from people who’ve been in the scene for decades. When they knew the parts were going to be used in a worthwhile project, and not just sold on for a quick buck, some of them even gave me hard-to-find stuff for free.
Are there any specialised additions?
The engine was liberated out of a Group 6 racer and just like the frame was snapped up for a bargain price from an old mate of more than 40 years. However, throughout the process I was adamant that as many of the original features would be retained, which is a nod to happier and simpler times. Sure, some people might think it would look and work better using today’s modern parts. But keeping it as close to its original 80s look as possible was more important to me. Running it with an Amal carb and AF exhaust evokes both the sounds and smells of those long-gone halcyon days.
Stu says:
The emotional connection of balancing the romance of owning a scooter we’ve always wanted along with the practicality and reality of the situation is not easy. However, throughout this project Harry has dealt with people who can empathise with that mindset. With their support he’s managed to finally own and develop the scooter he’s loved and wanted for years.
Words: Stu Smith Images: Courtesy of Grace Carvell
Article originally appeared in Scootering Magazine April 2025. To subscribe and grab some Meguiars cleaning freebies visit https://classicmagazines.co.uk/scootering?offer=SCOME2026
