Lambretta Siluro – The record breakers of the 1950s
The Lambretta “Siluro” (Italian for “torpedo”) is one of the most fascinating and important machines in post-war motorcycle history. Based on a 125 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine, it reached a top speed of 201 km/h in 1951 – a record in the 125 cc class that remains unbroken to this day.
Historical context: Vespa vs. Lambretta
After the Second World War, Piaggio (Vespa) and Innocenti (Lambretta) wanted to prove that their scooters were more than just city vehicles. Both manufacturers set out to break a series of speed and endurance records in order to win over traditional motorcyclists – and for sure against each other. Innocenti began in April 1949 with a barely faired Lambretta that achieved an average speed of 103.863 km/h over 12 hours on the Montlhéry race track. This was followed in September 1950 by a fully faired version, with which Romolo Ferri, Umberto Masetti and Dario Ambrosini completed 100 miles (160.93 km) at an average speed of 142.240 km/h – again at Montlhéry.
Piaggio countered with a Vespa featuring a complex opposed-piston engine that reached over 107 mph (172 km/h). Innocenti responded under the leadership of chief engineer Pier Luigi Torre with a radical prototype: an aluminium-clad, ovoid streamlined body developed by Caproni Aviation specialists. The body rested on a lightweight tubular frame; the driver lay bent forward, completely enclosed, with only his helmet protruding through a Plexiglas windscreen. Two spring-loaded flaps allowed the driver to rest his feet; two air ducts between the legs cooled the engine. The only display was a Jaeger tachometer up to 10,000 rpm.
Further records (Montlhéry, June 1951):
- 1 km flying: 200 km/h
- 100 km: 160 km/h
- 1000 km: 133 km/h
- 5000 km: 98 km/h
- 1 hour: 159 km/h
- 6 hours: 133 km/h
- 12 hours: 132 km/h
World record run with 201 km/h – 8 August 1951
The 200 km/h mark was broken by Lambretta rider Romolo Ferri on 8 August 1951. The record-breaking ride took place on the motorway between Munich and Ingolstadt, which was temporarily closed for the attempt.
- Driver: Romolo Ferri
- Date: 8 August 1951
- Location: Munich–Ingolstadt motorway
- Vehicle: Lambretta 125 cc specially built for speed records
- Result: 201 km/h and new world record in the 125 cc class
Technical specifications of the record-breaking engine
- Displacement: 125 cm³, single-cylinder two-stroke
- Supercharging: Innocenti's own crankshaft-driven Roots compressor
- Power: >20 bhp (one source cites 20.75 hp) at 9,700 rpm
- Compression ratio: 18:1
- Fuel: High-octane alcohol-oil mixture
- Cylinder: Special sand-cast cylinder with bridge inlet and outlet ports (based on the series layout of the Lambretta Model C)
Only two built – and both survived
Originally there have been two Siluro built. One for racing and the second one as a backup. One is for decades on display at the Museum of Science in Milan. The second one has been owned by the Panini family and was part of their collection of mainly Maserati cars. This is the one that went to auction early in 2025 and found his back home to Milan as well when Vittorio Tessera of Casa Lambretta fame joined forces with Fondazione Ferdinando e Luigi Innocenti.
2023 auction at Artcurial
- Lot no.: 325
- Estimate: €65,000 – €100,000
- Hammer price: €160,920 (no reserve)
- Condition: Museum vehicle, unrestored, ‘as is’, full overhaul recommended
- Special feature: Original record-breaking fairing, invitations to Goodwood and Compiègne as proof of historicity
Unique appearance at the RLC Open Day 2015
This one is also the one that was on display at the first Rimini Lambretta Center (RLC) Open Day in 2015 for their 20th anniversary. We had been there and had also the chance of the lifetime to test both Lambretta original Twin-Prototypes:
If you want to know more about how Dean Orton managed to convince Signore Panini to lend RLC that expensive piece of history, there is a dedicated chapter in the book
It also describes how RLC was later commissioned by Panini to get the machine an overhaul to make it running – as the Paninis were invited to celebrate the 70th birthday of Lambretta at the Goodwood Festival in 2017.
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