c1961 Lambretta APE 3-Wheeler

Description

Developed as a more practical alternative to traditional scooters but without the cost restrictions of a full-sized car, the Italian three-wheeled scooter-based, small commercial vehicle was introduced by various manufacturers in the dometic market just after World War II. This Lambretta APE ‘utility’ is basically a standard scooter from the seat forward, complete with handlebar steering and controls, with its two rear-wheels shaft driven. Over the ‘rider’ is a two-person fully-enclosed cab, complete with a windscreen with wipers and wind-up side windows! These Lambretta APEs were various bodied in different configurations including a flat bed, a utility (as here), and a van. Predictably, they were extremely popular with small businesses that required a light load carrier to zip through narrow Italian streets.