Big Book Of Scooters

There are motorcycles designed for terrifying speeds, enormous distances and the sort of mechanical performance that causes insurance companies to develop nervous disorders. And then there are scooters, those wonderfully civilised little machines that suggest the ideal way to travel is sitting upright, keeping one’s shoes relatively clean and arriving somewhere fashionable without having spent the journey impersonating a racing driver.

In Big Book of Scooters (2013), Steve Lanham celebrates the remarkable history and enduring appeal of one of the world’s most charming forms of motorised transport. Published by G2 Entertainment, this illustrated volume explores the fascinating variety of scooters that have captured the imagination of generations of riders, from practical urban runabouts to stylish machines that became symbols of youth, freedom and an almost religious devotion to polished chrome.

The scooter’s great achievement was making motorised transport accessible, economical and fashionable, particularly during the years following the Second World War. Italian manufacturers such as Vespa and Lambretta transformed the humble concept into a cultural phenomenon, producing machines that offered affordable independence with a generous helping of continental elegance.

Suddenly, ordinary people could travel around town without relying on buses, bicycles or the kindness of relatives who owned cars. Better still, they could do so while looking remarkably sophisticated, particularly if accompanied by a fashionable coat, dark glasses and a complete disregard for the weather forecast.

In Britain, scooters became inseparable from the Mod movement of the 1960s, when young enthusiasts discovered that a relatively modest machine could be transformed into an extraordinary expression of personal identity. Additional mirrors, elaborate lighting arrangements and quantities of chrome sufficient to decorate a respectable hotel bathroom became essential accessories. Apparently, being able to see behind oneself was particularly important when nineteen rear-view mirrors were available.

Lanham’s book celebrates this distinctive world of scooter design and culture, exploring machines that combined mechanical simplicity with extraordinary personality. From classic European designs to later developments in practical urban transport, scooters demonstrate that two-wheeled motoring need not involve enormous engines, uncomfortable riding positions or a wardrobe consisting exclusively of leather.

Of course, scooter ownership has never been entirely free from complications. Vintage examples can demand considerable mechanical attention, while their modest engines occasionally require heroic determination when confronted with steep hills, strong headwinds or the ambitious expectation of overtaking a lorry.

Nevertheless, their appeal remains undiminished. Few vehicles have so successfully combined practicality, individuality and the opportunity to feel like a film star while travelling to the local supermarket.

Condition: Good. This is a previously owned copy dating from 2013, displaying ordinary signs of age and handling. Unlike a neglected vintage Lambretta, it should require no carburettor adjustment, replacement cables or prolonged kicking before providing enjoyment.

Published by G2 Entertainment in 2013. ISBN: 9781909217423.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where we appreciate stylish little machines, particularly those whose history can be enjoyed without getting two-stroke oil on the carpet.

An excellent addition to any collection of scooter literature, classic transport history or Mod culture memorabilia. Particularly recommended for enthusiasts who believe that genuine motoring sophistication is not measured in horsepower, but in the number of mirrors one can attach to a perfectly ordinary scooter without it falling over.

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