Scootering, Number 34, August 1988 - Tales of the unexpected - Liquid Cooled Vega

Way back in Sixties, often referred to (mostly by people who weren't even there) as 'The Swinging Sixties', Lambretta produced a trio of Bertone styled lightweight scooters. These were called the Luna Range and consisted of three models, the 50cc Lui, the 75cc Cometa, (which was fitted with a hitherto unheard of piece of technical innovation, by lambretta anyway, a separate oil feed system) and the 75cc Vega. Now despite the lack of cubes, the 75cc engine was capable of propelling the Vega along at a maximum speed of 55mph or 89kph if you prefer, not bad for 5.2bhp.
John Wilson's Vega has a watercooled LC150cc Stage 7 tuned engine complete with reed valves, a Kawasaki piston and an Amal carburettor. It produces considerably more bhps than 5.2 and does a few more mph than 55! All the work was carried out on John's behalf by Mark Broadhurst who began the job when he worked at Beedspeed and finished it at MB Developments after the two parted company. John is well pleased with the engine which has proved faultless, iris only worry being that someone will nick the rubber band that drives to coolant pump.

John originally wanted a Vega because of its good handling qualities and ample ground clearance, but somehow along the way it acquired a tuned 150cc engine, a rear hub, barrel and gears from a J125 Starstream, a Yamaha radiator, a Honda seat, a Kawasaki piston, a Vespa cylinder head, a (pause for deep breath) Polini mechanical water pump, a fair amount of Don Blocksidge engraving and a Roadhouse paint job. Phew. And just about the right amount of Chrome.
John says he called his scoot Tales of the Unexpected 'because it's not like any other Vega'. True enough, but despite its many modifications it still 'looks like' a Vega and its this that makes it special. John has decided that his next project is going to be a full panel Series 1 with a race tuned engine so it seems that the Vega has to go, if you're interested keep an eye open for it in the smalls, and no doubt John will be interested in any reasonalbe offers, as will me 'n' Gareth but only if they are sent in a plain paper wrapper and contain either alcohol, or promises of wild nights with unmarried Polynesean women in black rubber underwear (them not us) and not necessarily in that order.

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