Paul Weller’s iconic ‘Stanley Road’ Lambretta heads to auction with £55k estimate

Some motorcycles become famous because of who rode them, while others gain notoriety because of what they achieved. This 1965 Lambretta LI150 Special falls into a different category entirely, becoming a cultural icon thanks to its connection with one of Britain's biggest musicians and one of the most successful albums of the 1990s.

The scooter in question is the Paul Weller-owned 'Stanley Road' Lambretta, a machine commissioned to help promote the former Jam frontman's landmark 1995 solo album of the same name. Now, more than 30 years later, it is heading to auction with H&H Classics carrying an eye-watering £55,000 top estimate.

The story goes that Weller's record label, Go! Discs, commissioned three custom-painted Lambrettas to celebrate his solo releases, with each scooter featuring artwork linked to the album. The most recognisable of the trio was this LI150 Special, finished with airbrushed artwork inspired by the cover of Stanley Road, with the graphics designed by celebrated British artist Peter Blake, the man perhaps best known for creating The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album artwork.

While the artwork steals the headlines, underneath sits a fairly standard Lambretta LI150 Special. The model first appeared in 1963, slotting neatly between the regular LI150 and the range-topping TV models. It used a tuned version of the 150cc engine alongside a closer ratio gearbox, giving it sharper acceleration and a top speed of around 59mph. The spec of the bike makes it one of the quicker Lambrettas of its day.

The scooter's place in British pop culture was cemented shortly after Weller took delivery, when it was whisked off to Margate for a photoshoot with photographer Lawrence Watson. Those images became synonymous with the Stanley Road era and remain among the most recognisable photographs of Weller's solo career, rivalled in scooter folklore only by Phil Daniels and the famous Quadrophenia Lambretta.

Weller later donated the scooter to a charity auction in aid of CancerBACUP following the death of his friend Ian Dury in 2000. The current owner bought it directly from that sale after reportedly seeing off competition from a member of the Brit Pop band Ocean Colour Scene. Following the auction, Weller, Peter Blake and drummer Steve White all signed the scooter's side panels, adding another layer of provenance to an already unique machine.

The Lambretta has spent much of the last two decades on static display, although it was recommissioned for road use shortly after changing hands and is said to have been ridden on several occasions before being retired to a less risky existence indoors. Included in the sale are copies of Scootering magazine featuring the scooter, a limited-edition print from the original photoshoot, the Stanley Road album and memorabilia from the Ian Dury tribute concert where it first changed hands.

So, if you are after a slice of British music history, that just happens to include two wheels and an engine, here’s the auction for you.

You can check out the full listing for yourself on the official website.

Images: H&H Classics

Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown