SX

The Lambretta SX200, or SpecialX200, was Lambretta’s top of the range scooter, with 20,783 scooters manufactured from Jan 1966 - Jan 1969. Though not the rarest of the Series 3 Lambrettas, the SX200 still continues to be among the most popular and desirable scooters owing to its classic, if not unique styling.
Great Britain was the first market to demand 200cc’s from a scooter, and their hunger for power (along with select other markets, not including Italy was first satisfied with the TV200 as a more reliable 200cc scooter destined for the world market, but was released as scooter sales were starting to decline. The SX benefitted from its ability to be tuned up for more speed and power, thus proving it a favourite with the burgeoning scooter racing scene in the UK. Many dealer specials were produced with the SX200 as its base including the Arthur Francis “S-Type”, Supertune “Rallye”, and the Rafferty Newman “Wildcat”.
Both the SX150 and the SX200 were built with the non chrome ring headsets as boasted on the last TV models, the 200 model gained a front disc brake and damper forks as fitted to the TV models, while the tried and tested front drum was used on the SX150 models, both models were drum braked at the rear. The SX200 models were fitted with a 90mph speedo and the SX150 with a 70mph unit. The face of the speedo was changed for both the SX models, the dial was a lower face plate, and a white trim was fitted on top of this just under the glass.
Engine wise the SX150 acquired some tweaks in the engine department. Porting modifications saw power rise to 9.38bhp giving a top speed of around 56mph. Gear ratios were changed to reflect the new power output, and to help give a smoother ride. A Dello’Orto SH1/20 carburettor was fitted, and Innocentis claimed figures of 118 miles per gallon still made the SX fuel efficient.
The SX200 model acquired a lot more tweaks over its predecessor, as the TV200 was not without its problems. Gearing, exhaust, piston, and engine mounts were all changed to refine Innocentis top of the range scooter. Power was up very slightly over the TV model to 11bhp, which gave the SX200 a top speed of 66mph whilst still giving a satisfactory 93mpg.
As with all of the Innocentis products, numerous changes were again made mid production. Early on, some models came eqipped with white light switches, later on changing to black, the normal handle type side panels gave way to clip on items. Metal tool boxes later changed to grey plastic items, the horn cast drest was changed to an alloy item with a blue background, with the word Innocenti on it. The forks had their changes to, going from the bolt in type of buffers to the clip in type, the last SX150 models also had silver wheel rims and hubs.
Colour wise, Innocnti lessened the colour choice on all models, the SX150 being available in either Grey or white, whilst a second colour of red or blue could be added to the side panels. For the SX200, the Italian home market was even more confined, all models came in white, with an ox blood seat colour. However those destined for the export market gained a choice of seat cover colours from green, dark blue and light blue. The SX200s that were imported into the UK could have more choice in colour. The basic white on the side panels, horn cast V and headset top was replaced with either red, green, gold, blue, black, and purple.
By the time production ceased in Jan of 1969, some 3 years after beginning, 31,238 SX150 versions had left the production line. The Italians found the cost of producing the model too high, and of the 20,783 SX200 versions made, the majority found their way to the UK as British scooterists had a desire for the more larger capacity machines. The SX200 to this day still retains a high demand, and models can command high prices.