KRU 251

The dominant scooter featured in Quadrophenia is of course, Jimmy's: a 1967 Lambretta Li 150 model, series three. Originally registered as 'KRU 251F' the F was omitted from the number plate, during the film, ensuring it was a correct period style number. Number plates ending in "F" were registered between 1967 and 1968 and the film was being set in 1964, so hence the need for change.
Immediately after filming was complete, Rafferty Newman, a motorcycle/scooter based in Fareham, Hampshire purchased the scooter, from possibly the very careful owner who was keen on retrieving it and not selling it to the film company.

Rafferty Newman, then sold it to Eddie Harris who subsequently sold it to a chap called Paul Marsh, both from Portsmouth.

In 1983, (just four years since the release of the film) on a Sunday afternoon, a young student called Kevin Percival, spotted a Lambretta lying in a back garden of a house in Southsea and it didn’t take him long to recognise what he saw. 

Abandoned, were the remains of Jimmy's Lambretta. According to Kevin, the accessories had all been removed for safekeeping, so with that in mind, he quickly bought the scooter from Paul Marsh for just £80.

It wasn’t until 1995, twelve years later, that KRU 251 re-appeared, having been completely restored.  It then proudly graced the cover of Scootering magazine and was the subject of an article (Issue number 116) in June of that year.

1997 was a busy year for KRU 251, Quadrophenia was re-released and it accompanied Phil Daniels to the film’s premiere at Brighton.  Furthermore, The Who held a special concert in Hyde Park, London and KRU made an appearance.

KRU understandably, attended shows and promotional events highlighting its fame, and has remained under the ownership of Kevin Percival ever since.

Bonhams

Kevin Percival eventually decided it was time to pass the Lambretta on and Bonham’s were given the job of auctioning it.  At 2pm on Tuesday 25th of November 2008, at the Knightsbridge branch of Bonham’s, Lot 347W was listed as:

Rock & Roll Memorabilia
1967 Lambretta Li150 Series 3 Scooter,
Registration no. KRU 251F, as ridden by Phil Daniels ('Jimmy') in the film Quadrophenia, 1979,
Estimate: £20,000 - 25,000

Further information provided, stated that the Lambretta was in “excellent condition” however the auctioneer added that in order to make KRU legally roadworthy “a certain amount of re-commissioning” would be required.  This would likely to be items relating to either safety and/or running e.g. brakes, battery, petrol etc.

Within several minutes, the auction was over. KRU sold at auction for the sum of £36,000 inclusive of buyer’s premium which was £6000.

It is widely acknowledged, however, that there were two Lambrettas used in the filming of Quadrophenia. The original owner, at the time, was a member of the Modrapheniacs Scooter Club, and agreed to loan the film company his Lambretta, however this was on the strict proviso that it was returned in the same condition.

Hence, there must have been a replica created to film Post Office crash scene. This is further backed up by photographs taken at the time with the damaged Lambretta shown to be a different model from the one used in previous scenes.