Lambro 550/V, 550/M and 500ML
In a letter from Innocenti to the concessionaires on April 28th 1969 Innocenti revealed 'the new line of three-wheelers - thanks to its main characteristics, very similar to those of a van - is directed towards a market till now applied to the traditional commercial vehicles.
The new modern design of the cabin allowed ample space to seat two people. The cabin floor was at a low height off the ground and with wide doors, access to the cabin was easy. Inside the cabin a practical, easy-access well was provided (similar to previous models) for documents and gloves and the interior light was moved to a roof mounted light, operated by switch. The smart, close-clustered dashboard on these models featured easy-to-read and rational instrumentation. Starting is electric with key-switch and push-button. These models featured ‘perfect air-conditioning’ by means of the adjustable heating system and by wide wind deflectors. The ample windows also improved visibility.
The Lambro engine used in this range was a two-stroke single-cylinder of 198cc with a maximum power of approximately 10BHP. Despite its power, consumption was only 4.7 litres of petrol mixture every 100 kilometres. The engine-gearbox unit was external to the cabin and mounted on four elastic buffers. This location reduced noise and vibrations within the cabin, making the driving experience more pleasurable. To simplify servicing operations, it was possible to raise the body by 45 degrees, giving immediate access to engine, gearbox and transmission. A high-power dynamotor ensured instant starting and full battery-recharging even a low speed running.
The frame for the 550V/M and 500ML was constructed of structural steel welded to the traditional central tubular beam. Innocenti won and held the record for life-expectancy and strength through the 1950s and 1960s for this backbone.
The pick-up body of the Lambro was in pressed steel plate throughout and had a load-bearing surface of 2.8 cubic metres. The floor was only 63.5cm off the ground which meant that loading and unloading of heavy packages was made much easier. Both sides and tailgate could be folded down to allow tri-lateral access.
- Lambro 550V
- Lambro 550M
- Lambro 500ML
- Colours and Van Bodies
Lambro 550V
Italian Production Dates: February 1969 - December 1969
Colours: Orange or Apple Green
The square cab featured in this range of Lambro was a result of a collaboration between the Italian design house Bertone and Innocenti. 
The 500V was the first Lambro to have a steering wheel which was offset from the centre. The soft steering wheel of the Lambro 550V was designed to make it easy and pleasurable to drive. The steering control on the front wheel was through a reduction gearbox; which lightened the effort required and transmitted no vibrations or oscillations due to poor road surface.
The gear lever was centrally placed and included reverse and gear selection was designed to be fast and smooth.
The seats were cushioned, sprung and contoured for a driver and a passenger and were a generous 97cm wide. The interior of the doors now featured door panels. Gears were selected by a shifting central lever and reverse inserted by a seperate lever. An hydraulic brake was added to the front wheel enabling all brakes to now be foot operated.
Externally, the 550V and 550M had an aluminum trim on the front mudguard and two large rectangular headlights. The spare wheel was moved to between the cabin and the chassis. The pick-up body was also redesigned to allow it to be raise to 45 degrees to allow for engine maintenance.
Overall Dimensions
| Overall Length: | Pick-up body: 3480mm | Maximum height: | Pick-up Body: 1635mm |
| Maximum width : | Pick-up Body: 1510mm | Track width: | 1316mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2270mm | ||
| Cabin Step: | 145mm | Maximum Door Width: | 720mm |
Frame and Cabin
| Frame | Tubular Steel backbone with a single sheet floor plate welded directly to it. Support beams in bent sheet steel and cradle for support of engine. Cradle for spare wheel |
| Front suspension: | by means of rocker arms connected to levers compressing two helical springs. Telescopic shock absorbers mounted inside the two helical springs |
| Rear suspension: | two longitudinal leaf springs and telescopic absorbers |
| Electric Starter | push-button type |
| Windscreen: | Curved glass windscreen of wide size (mm 530 x 950) |
| Windscreen Wiper: | Electric |
| Windshield washer: | push-button type |
| Interior Light | roof lamp |
| Seat: | Spring cushioned seats with contour backs |
| Doors: | with interior panels in plastic |
| Ventilation and Heating: | Wide wind deflectors and heating system |
| Dashboard Box: | storage compartment on the left side of dashboard |
| Sun visor: | on the left |
| Control panel: | of automobile type |
| Rear View Mirror: | exterior type |
| Front mudguard: | with finished aluminium plate |
| Front lamps: | n.2 large rectangular lamps |
| Engine Servicing | the pick-up body can be raised at 45 degree angle and kept in that position by a self blocking bar which renders quite easy servicing of engine |
| DRIVING | The steering wheel - on the left side of the cabin - is of motor car type. Brakes, clutch and accelerator are foot operated. Pre-selected gears are engaged by shifting a central lever. Reverse gear is inserted by a seperate lever. |
Wheels and Brakes
| Wheels | Interchangeable wheels | Tyres: | front: 4.50 x 10T (6 P.R.) |
| Single piece automobile type rims in pressed steel. | rear: 4.50 x 10T (6 P.R.) (T mark indicated heavy tread tyres for commercial use) | ||
| Brakes: Internal expansion brakes. | drum-type, hydraulic on 3 wheels, controlled by a pump driven by a pedal. Hydraulic rake light switch attached to master cylinder | Tyre pressures at full load: | Front: 2.5 kg/cm square |
| Hand lever parking brakes on rear wheels. | Rear: 3.75 kg/cm square |
Rear Axle:
| Consisting of: | central differential box: |
| rear axle housing | |
| sliding half-shafts easily withdrawn by removal of wheel flange |
Electrical Equipment
Dynamotor with a power of 90 watts powered by12 volt battery.
the dynamotor of a nominal power of 90 watts feeds the battery of 12V-30Ah by means of a regulator. The alternating current powers the ignition coil.
The circuits are protected by a fuse box
| Position | Use | Number | Features |
||
Electrical |
Type of Bulb |
Type of Fitting |
|||
| Headlight | Dual Filament. Full beam/dipped (symmetric | 2 |
12V-35/35W |
Spherical |
BA 20d |
| Position | 2 |
12V-4W |
Cylindrical |
BA 9s |
|
| Front Lights | Indicator | 2 |
12V -21W |
Spherical |
BA 15 s |
| Side Lights | Indicator | 2 |
12V - 4W |
Cylindrical |
BA 9s |
| Back Lights | Parking | 2 |
12V - 5W |
Festoon |
S 8.5 / 9.5 |
| Brake Light | 2 |
12V - 10W |
Festoon |
S 8.5 / 9.5 |
|
| Rear Indicator | 2 |
12V - 10W |
Festoon |
S 8.5 / 9.5 |
|
| Speedometer | Illumination | 1 |
12V - 3W |
Cylindrical |
BA 9s |
| Instrument Panel | Signals / Indicative | 4 |
12V - 3W |
Cylindrical |
BA 9s |
| Interior Light | Illumination | 1 |
12V - 5W |
Festoon |
S 8.5 / 9.5 |
Engine
| Engine: | Single cylinder two stoke, forced air cooled. | Carburettor | Dell’Orto SH2/22 – Cartridge type air filter |
| Bore: | 66mm | Max. Jet: | 92 |
| Stroke: | 58mm | Idle / Pilot Jet: | 48 |
| Capacity: | 198cc | Starter Jet: | 50 |
| Compression Ratio: | 7.25 | Atomizer: | 7895.01.64 |
| Output: | at 4,800 r.p.m.: 9.8HP |
| Ignition | flywheel alternator, battery, external HT coil. Fixed advance |
| Clutch: | Multi-disc type in oil bath |
| Gear Box: | four speed and reverse with constant mesh gears, alternately splined by grafting on the secondary caliper. Lever control with built-in preselector |
| Total transmission ratios (Rear Wheel RPM/ENGINE RPM) |
1st gear: 1/45.1 |
| 2nd gear: 1/23.3 | |
| 3rd gear: 1/14.7 | |
| 4th gear: 1/8.9 | |
| Reverse: 1/48.3 | |
| Transmission | From engine to gearbox: by gears with flexible coupling. |
| From gearbox to rear axle: by hollow shaft with splined couplings and two flexible couplings |
Performance
| Pick- up Body | both sides and tailgate can be folded down or completely removed | Weight of motorchassis with pick-up body, with doors, no spare wheel | 390kg |
| Useable length of Pick-up Body | 1945mm | Loading Capacity: | 550kg |
| Useable width of Pick-up body | 1430mm | Max total weight admissible | 1,010kg |
| Loading Surface: | 2.8m squared | ||
| Deck Height: | 635mm | Max Speed at full load | 62.3km/h |
| Tank Capacity: | 10 litres | ||
| Min. Turning Radius: | 3500mm | Range:> | 200km |
Consumption CUNA (lt )5.4x 100/km |
|||
Documents and Pictures
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lambro 550/M
Italian Production Dates: March 1969 - December 1969
Colours: Blue
The 550M was one of the handlebar versions of this range, with clutch and gear control of the traditional type, i.e incorporated in the handlebar. The line and the performance were otherwise technically identical to the 550V. The seats remained as a bench seat for two people but the 550M also had the internal door trim panels.
Externally, the 550V and 550M had an aluminum trim on the front mudguard and two large rectangular headlights. The spare wheel was moved to between the cabin and the chassis. The pick-up body was also redesigned to allow it to be raise to 45 degrees to allow for engine maintenance.
| DIMENSIONS (motorchassis with pick-up body) | ENGINE |
| Overall Length (m) 3.480 | Type: Two stroke- single cylinder – air cooled |
| Overall Width (m) 1.510 | Fuel: Petrol mixture 4% |
| Overall Height (m) 1.635 | Cubic Capacity (cc): 198 |
| Wheelbase (m) 2.240 | Bore (mm): 66 |
| Wheel (rear track) (m) 1.316 | Stroke (mm): 58 |
| Cabin Step (m): 0.390 | Horse power at 4,800 r.p.m. (HP): 9.8 |
| Max door width (m): 0.720 | |
| WEIGHTS (motorchassis with pick-up body, with doors, no spare wheel) | GEARBOX |
| Curb weight (kg) 390 | Type: Gear Change control on handlebar |
| Loading Capacity (kg) 550 | Speeds: 4 speeds and reverse |
| Max total weight admissible (kg) 1,010 |
| CLUTCH | Multi-disc in oil bath |
| ENGINE SERVICING | the pick-up body can be raised at 45 degree angle and kept in that position by a self blocking bar which renders quite easy servicing of engine |
| BRAKES | |
| Service Brake | drum-type, hydraulic system, foot operated and working contemporaneously on the 3 wheels |
| Emergency and Parking brake: | mechanical system, hand operated and working on the 2 rear wheels |
| TYRES AND WHEELS | |
| Tyre Size: | 4.50 x 10T (6 pr.) |
| Wheel Size | 3.00D |
| Spare Wheel: | Housed between cabin and chassis under the open body |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Front: | by means of rocker arms connected to levers compressing two helical springs. Telescopic shock absorbers mounted inside the two helical springs |
| Back: | two longitudinal leaf springs and telescopic absorbers |
| FRAME | central beam type in steel tubing on which are directly welded the steel platform for the cabin and the steel beams supporting the body |
| DRIVING | The handlebar is in the centre of the cabin. On the left hand there is the clutch lever and the gear change control, on the right the throttle. Reverse gear is inserted by a separate lever |
| CABIN COMFORT & STYLING | |
| Electric Starter | push-button type |
| Seats: | seat for two persons |
| Windshield: | Curved glass windscreen of wide size (mm 530 x 950) |
| Ventilation and Heating: | Wide wind deflectors and heating system |
| Windshield wiper: | Electric |
| Cabin light: | roof lamp |
| Dashboard Box: | wide storage compartment on the left side of dashboard |
| Sun visor: | on the centre |
| Windshield washer: | push-button type |
| Control panel: | of automobile type |
| Rear View Mirror: | exterior type |
| Front mudguard: | with finished aluminium plate |
| Doors: | with interior panels in plastic |
| Front lamps: | n.2 large rectangular lamps |
| FUEL TANK CAPACITY: | 10 litres |
| PERFORMANCE | PICK UP BODY |
| Maximum speed at full load (km/h): 62.3 | Type: both sides and tailgate can be folded down or completely removed |
| Consumption (according to CUNA specification) (l/100km): 5.4 | Internal length (m): 1.945 |
| Fuel Distance (approx.) (km): 200 | Internal width (m): 1.430 |
| Turning radius (m): 3.8 | Loading surface (sq.m):2.8 |
| Climbing ability with full load in 1st gear (%) 27 | Deck Height (m): 0.635 |
| Height of folding gates (m): 0.280 |
Documents and Pictures
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lambro 500/ML
Italian production Dates: September 1969 - December 1969
Colours: Yellow Ochre
The 500ML was advertised as a vehicle specially developed for town transport. With a wheelbase of only 2050mm, it was extremely compact, quick and easy-to-handle in relation to other vehicles. Innocenti stated that it 'involves no parking problems and can nip in and out of traffic with the greatest ease.' Certain styling details were different on the 500ML than the 500V and 550M such as round headlights, black plastic beading around the muguard instead of the aluminum and no internal door trims.
The reasons for these differences were portrayed slightly differently to the concessionaires at the time as stated in the launch letter from Innocenti on 25th July 1969 where the ML is decribed as 'substantially similar to the other two models, but particularly studied (price and packing volume) for export'.
| DIMENSIONS (motorchassis with pick-up body) | ENGINE |
| Overall Length (m) 3.020 | Type: Two stroke- single cylinder – air cooled |
| Overall Width (m) 1.465 | Fuel: Petrol mixture 4% |
| Overall Height (m) 1.635 | Cubic Capacity (cc): 198 |
| Wheelbase (m) 2.050 | Bore (mm): 66 |
| Wheel (rear track) (m) 1.316 | Stroke (mm): 58 |
| Cabin Step (m): 0.390 | Horse power at 4,800 r.p.m. (HP): 9.8 |
| Max door width (m): 0.720 | |
| WEIGHTS (motorchassis with pick-up body, with doors, no spare wheel) | GEARBOX |
| Curb weight (kg) 370 | Type: Gear Change control on handlebar |
| Loading Capacity (kg) 500 | Speeds: 4 speeds and reverse |
| Max total weight admissible (kg) 940 |
| CLUTCH | Multi-disc in oil bath |
| ENGINE SERVICING | the pick-up body can be raised at 45 degree angle and kept in that position by a self blocking bar which renders quite easy servicing of engine |
| BRAKES | |
| Service Brake | drum-type, hydraulic system, foot operated and working contemporaneously on the 3 wheels |
| Emergency and Parking brake: | mechanical system, hand operated and working on the 2 rear wheels |
| TYRES AND WHEELS | |
| Tyre Size: | 4.50 x 10T (4 pr.) |
| Wheel Size | 3.00D |
| Spare Wheel: | Housed between cabin and chassis under the open body |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Front: | by means of rocker arms connected to levers compressing two helical springs. Telescopic shock absorbers mounted inside the two helical springs |
| Back: | two longitudinal leaf springs and telescopic absorbers |
| FRAME | SImilar to the one of the 500V and M but lighter and of a different design |
| DRIVING | The handlebar is in the centre of the cabin. On the left hand there is the clutch lever and the gear change control, on the right the throttle. Reverse gear is inserted by a separate lever |
| CABIN COMFORT & STYLING | |
| Electric Starter | push-button type |
| Seats: | seat for two persons |
| Windshield: | Curved glass windscreen of wide size (mm 530 x 950) |
| Ventilation and Heating: | Wide wind deflectors and heating system |
| Windshield wiper: | Electric |
| Cabin light: | roof lamp |
| Dashboard Box: | wide storage compartment on the left side of dashboard |
| Sun visor: | without |
| Windshield washer: | without |
| Control panel: | of simpler form |
| Rear View Mirror: | exterior type |
| Front mudguard: | black plastic beading |
| Doors: | without panels |
| Front lamps: | n.2 round lamps |
| FUEL TANK CAPACITY: | 10 litres |
| PERFORMANCE | PICK UP BODY |
| Maximum speed at full load (km/h): 62.3 | Type: both sides and tailgate can be folded down or completely removed |
| Consumption (according to CUNA specification) (l/100km): 5.4 | Internal length (m): 1.480 |
| Fuel Distance (approx.) (km): 200 | Internal width (m): 1.340 |
| Turning radius (m): 2.8 | Loading surface (sq.m):2 |
| Climbing ability with full load in 1st gear (%) 27 | Deck Height (m): 0.635 |
| Height of folding gates (m): 0.280 |
Documents and Pictures
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Supplementary Information - Van Bodies and Colours - 550V, 550M and 500ML
Van Bodies
Innocenti produced two models for van bodies for the 550V, 550M and 500ML. The bodies could be fitted to any of the three models but attachments differed depending on which model of Lambro they were to be fitted to. 
1. LONG TYPE: with 2 rear doors;
Size: mm 1750 x 1480 x 1050
2. SHORT TYPE: with 2 rear doors;
Size: mm 1550 x 1480 x 1050
Bodies for this new production could be shipped in 6 detachable parts (for a minimum order of 4 units) and assembled locally.
Colours
The Lambro 550V, 550M and 500ML were only avaliable in the following colours:
-
550V: Orange and Apple Green (although a choice was provided Innocenti were keen to point out that the choice would be considered as a 'request' and would depend on avaliability at time of shipment)
-
550M: Blue (1969)
-
500ML: Yellow Ochre
NB. We have found pictures which suggest that Innocenti did at some point produce these models other colours eg Red and Cream. We have not managed to find any documentary evidence which explains these pictures. The above is based on the letter from Innocenti to the Lambretta Concessionaires stating the colours available.
NOTE: Technical specifications have been taken directly from Innocenti documentation eg User Manuals for each model. Later workshop manuals and amendments made after the publication of each manual may mean that these details appear differently in other documentation and may be different for your particular model.
Sources:
MES GB/236.C11 20.10.1969
Lambro 550V / 550M / 500ML Sales Brochure
MES GB/236.C10 25.07.1969
Lambro 550V - Uso e manutenzione