3 minute read

Vespa and Lambretta Down Under

Scooter Meccanica is Australia’s leading scooter specialist workshop in Sydney, and have been restoring and tuning vintage and modern Vespas and Lambrettas since 2005. Their new landmark workshop is a powerhouse of engineering, attention to detail, style, uniqueness, and brilliance.

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was focused on smallframe tuning under the inventive and genius eye of Trevor Howe, of Project 13 Racing. However, after returning to Australia, Sandy saw a potential and growth that was untapped. He recognised a gap in the Australian market and set about building a company known for creating world class custom builds and vintage Vespa and Lambretta restorations.

Supported and adhered by customers nationwide, Scooter Meccanica simply delivers unrivalled „exceptional service, custom dreams and speed machines“. In fact, that’s the company motto. A motto proudly created and powered by its Owner and Founder, Sandy Symeonides.

AUSTRALIA‘S LEADING SPECIALIST WORKSHOP FOR VESPAS AND LAMBRETTAS

Sandy had always dreamed of creating an epic workshop and showroom to highlight the artistry and magnificence of the Vespa and Lambretta. With this vision in mind, Sandy has curated a new landmark workshop in the edgy industrial suburb of Alexandria, Sydney Australia.

Everywhere you look in the workshop, there is something special and authentic to admire.

From the rows of SS180s, Vegas, a beautifully restored TV200, or to GS 150s and 160s; the space is as much an art gallery as it is a workshop. And the best vantage point? Sitting in the vintage leather sofa that Sandy inherited from his first boss, Big Joe! Don’t forget to look up, there is a cathedral of Vespas and Lambrettas hanging from the original industrial ceiling, intermixed with chandeliers, motor antiques and plants.

The Story Begins In London

Sandy has been a loyal customer of SIP Scootershop since the late nineties. While he was living in East London, the SIP catalogue became his scooter bible, and he was one of the first to have purchased the famous SIP fiberglass race seat from Ralf and Alex. Back in the day, Sandy

Sandy Has Been A Loyal Sip Customer Since The Late Nineties

With his expert team behind him, including head restorer Mark, Sandy’s personal scooter collection and workmanship speaks for itself, he is most proud of his epic Nitros 1974 Vespa Sprint. Amongst his latest commissions, Scooter Meccanica this year has restored a string of Faro Bassos, SS90s and the stunning Lambretta TV175 series 1 (now owned by a world famous „Lambrettista“). Drawing to completion, is also a concourse 1961 Vespa 400, right-hand drive! Now that is something spectacular to check out, with only 80 built, it maybe one-ofa-handful in the world.

Scooter Meccanica And Sip Scootershop

Since opening, SIP Scootershop and Scooter Meccanica have partnered to make Sandy‘s dream a reality. SIP has stood by Scooter Meccanica through all the ups and downs. Built on a foundation of respect and friendship, SIP has always provided the support needed to deliver custom work and restorations on time and on budget. Sandy confidently says, „SIP has provided Scooter Meccanica and the Australian market with new opportunities, not only to service their classic and modern scooters, but also to deliver the best quality parts to Australia in less than three days.

This gives me and my team the confidence that we can not only keep our scooters running, but also drive them safely and reliably on the challenging Australian roads. What more could the Australian market and I ask for?“ Sandy has watched the scooter scene in Australia flourish and grow over the past 20 years. And that‘s no accident. Sandy is an avid enthusiast who puts his heart and soul into building fast, reliable and meticulously

Interesting restorations and Vespa models in Sandy‘s restored scooters. He is an active member of the Australian scooter scene and president of the Lambretta Club of Australia. One of his fondest memories is riding his 1963 Vespa GS160 around various parts of Australia every year with chief restorer Mark and his partner Fleur in the Classic Scooter Mille.

In his spare time, Sandy‘s involvement includes the first White Ribbon Ride Out to stop violence against women and violence in all its forms. He was an ambassador for the Distinguished Gentleman‘s Ride and runs a soup kitchen to help feed the less fortunate in Sydney. He also employs and trains political asylum seekers and provides them with startup opportunities for further employment.

More pictures and a SIP TV video you can find here: sip.shop/down-under