rise and shine

For half a century, the popular conception of Italians has been inextricably linked to zippy little scooters on cobblestone streets. Credit for part of that image goes to Lambretta, the Italian company that created several of the most popular models of the motorbikes that swept that country (and others) after World War II. Their relatively affordable two-wheelers, developed around the same time as the Vespa, became almost omnipresent in the fifties and sixtiesa Lambretta even makes a cameo in Ruth Orkin's iconic 1951 photograph, "American Girl in Italy." This year, for the brand's 60th anniversary, Lambretta is relaunching the motor scooters after a 35-year hiatus with the Pato, a sleek silver model covered with 5,000 crystals. The Pato, which also boasts an ultra-fuel-efficient engine, will retail for around $6,300 and is making its debut at the Milan Furniture Fair this month and at Motom dealers in Italy.



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