Scootering in the sun with a Moto Rumi

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While lots of people have only heard of Lambretta and Vespa, the world and especially Italy once abounded with dozens of smaller-scale manufacturers of scooters and rather exotic-looking mopeds. One short-lived example was Moto Rumi, which constructed its economy two-wheelers through the 1950s.

The scooter in this picture is a Moto Rumi Formichino ('Little Ant'), which was made from 1954 until the end of motorcycle production in 1960. It was an intelligent and unconventional design consisting of a three-piece aluminium body in which the parallel-twin engine functions as a stressed member. With its industrial æsthetic and prominent Cyclopean headlight, it was perhaps not as attractive as its rivals from Innocenti and Piaggio, which may be one reason why it didn't fare as well.

The woman riding it has a hint of 'Lauren of Arabia' about her, despite having to make do with something rather more modest than a Brough Superior. The location is actually Algeria, the photograph having been taken by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, who was conscripted into the French Army in 1955 to fight in the Algerian War, which ultimately resulted in Algeria declaring indepence in 1962. It dates from sometime between 1958 and 1961, one of many taken by Bourdieu to document life in Algeria during the conflict.

Words: Zack Stiling; photo: Pierre Bourdieu / Fondation Pierre Bourdieu

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