There is an expression which says that "to make peace then start a war." Ending a war or conflict in a region other than produce peace, sometimes it was not unexpected. Unforeseen circumstances which may include a variety did not even make sense, such is the growing popularity of one type of two-wheeled vehicle that is the Vespa. War is raging on the African continent in a decade of irrational 1960'an impact on the popularity of the Vespa, especially in this beloved homeland. As part of the Indonesian nation concern to world peace, then after the expiration of the Congo War (the country changed its name several times the Congo, Zaire, Congo), dated July 31, 1960 UN oust the Republic of Indonesia to send its troops to be part of a peacekeeping force in Congo State. Being a high concern for peace on earth, the Indonesian nation sent its best troops to the Congo with a password Garuda Indonesian troops through several times landing.
After duty as peacekeepers completed, Garuda Indonesia troops receive a token of appreciation from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, where one of them a Vespa (from some sources say that the administration was also there in the form of money and a few crates sewing needle.) Vespa actually seen here already binds us (the scooteris) with our nation in the international arena, although never written in gold ink history of this republic.
Interesting note that the award Vespa is also not free from tradition in the military world. Some sources say that for a green Vespa 150 cc is for soldiers kepangkatannya a higher level, while the yellow and blue 125 cc for the lower rank levels. In addition, in order to complete the identity of the Vespa is also on soldiers pinned the number sign is concerned, on the left handlebar (handlebar) oval-shaped material made of brass and an award plaque that accompanies it.
After that it is in those years as the Vespa Vespa ramailah Congo milling about in the streets, which adds a new Vespa Vespa type previously been present. This condition was also a positive impact on sales of Vespa in the homeland at that time. Vespa Congo that a round has contributed in the form of free advertising for Vespa importer in Indonesia. This development creates a sort of stigma here that distinguished Vespa Vespa round ya ... Congo.
So do not be surprised if the current generation before we call round with the title Vespa Vespa Congo, although the real question is Vespa Vespa Vespa output output in 1962 or 1965, for example (this is never the author experienced when asking someone who is old enough and being together vespanya He said this is the Vespa Congo ..., yes ... never mind).
Over time they begin an evolution of the Vespa Congo extinction in the ground water occurs. Many reasons that make it happen, as has been sold Vespa referred by their original owners or there are some parts that were severely damaged so it is very difficult to repair. This is considering the limited number of Vespa type which caused its existence was also significant with the number of our soldiers are receiving. Although the author never met Vespa type which does not belong Forces Garuda Indonesia (Vespa also seems to have these types entering Indonesia through the importer of Vespa that time), but still will supply spare parts and other things that accompany it, such as front or Speedo spakbor meter was minimal available. Not so with other types of Vespa is still widely produced even by local production houses.
With the above conditions, the Vespa Congo began to enter the list as one of The Most Wanted Vespa in Indonesia, which is used as steeds scooteris as well as a collector's item for collectors Vespa.
Sibling Vespa Congo
ne of the Congo is the uniqueness of Vespa Vespa types are not manufactured by Italy but by Germany. With raw material of steel plate are much stronger than the generally rounded Vespa, Vespa Congo have a level of completeness is more than the Vespa made in Italy are generally available in Indonesia (VBB1T or VBB2T). Vespa scooter Congo is evidence of penetration of Italy products that swept the world. To be able to know this can be started from Vespa developments in Germany.
Jacob Oswald Hoffmann is the owner of a bicycle factory in Lintorf, a city located in the North Dusseldorf. He built his own factory to buy a parcel of land upon which has stood several former mill buildings hoe / hoe after the end of the war. At one point in early 1949 he found some photos vespa shots journalists above his desk. From here there are fundamental differences, then Hoffman to find out more about the object image.
The opportunity came when at the Frankfurt Show, where Hoffmann and Vespa meet in person for the first time. From there then Hoffmann Vespa eager to build factories in Lintorf. He then proposed to be given a license to build Piaggio Vespa for Germany market.
Piaggio Hoffmann strongly supports the request. They then see it in person will likely Vespa market in Germany and get that Vespa can be accepted by the market Germany. The next step is that they make the approach to some importers, but the importers are not interested. The delay is minimized by accelerating the signing of cooperation agreements between them, and start Hoffmann as the main license owner of Vespa products for the whole of West Germany also partially Vespa market in the northern part of the country and are entitled to export to the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. Accountability sales to Southern parts of the country's territory are handled by Vespa Marketing GmbH in Frankfurt.
Vespa was quickly popular in Germany, the media picked it as the product of innovative and stylis and praise for ciptaanya Piaggio two-wheeled form of transport vehicles that are very interesting. In 1953, Hoffmann factory has produced more than 400 units each week Vespa. However, entering the later years of production rate decreased by half. In Germany the economic conditions are unfavorable, Hoffmann believes the solution is still on track competition, and he created the Vespa with better performance.
Then he created the Vespa as Konigin model that looks dashing with the added touch of chromm and headlights and so forth. Konigin development cost was very expensive, and jeopardize the financial condition of Hoffmann. Manufacture of new types of other scooter made by Piaggio cooperation between Hoffmann lost, entering the joint venture early in 1955 the two broke up.
Piaggio then build a relationship with Messerschmitt Co.., Which then issued the production of the first Vespa in 1955. They issued two models are 150 and GS Touren which claimed more awesome. They also provide after sales and service and spare parts for Vespa Hoffmann production. This cooperation continued until the end of 1957.
After that stand Vespa Augsburg GmbH, a joint venture between Piaggio and Martial Fane Organisation, this joint venture and also provide some parts for Vespa Messerschmitt. Both models are made when kongsian with Messerschmitt (150 Touren and GS) and then developed with some modifications. In addition it also gave birth Augsburg GmbH Vespa 125 cc Vespa was first introduced in 1958. Production continued until 1963, which is at the peak of the scooter and production changes that are not too many. In a follow Germany and then imported directly from Italy Vespa.
From the above description sibling Vespa Congo where we really are? There are several things which should be noted here is, first of the year between Piaggio cooperation with several companies in Germany and two from the year and production number that came with the Vespa Congo itself. From the author of several Vespa penulusuran Congo is based on years of output in BPKB is the year 1958 to 1963, it is highly synchronous when associated with the completion of the task force when a Garuda Indonesia peacekeepers in Congo. For this period, the cooperation between Piaggio with Hoffmann does not count. This is due to kongsian both disbanded in 1955 and the product of cooperation and even then shaped bicycle handlebar Vespa model and use Fender Light. Cooperation both Piaggio in Germany with Messerschmitt. From this collaboration came out Vespa GS products are often called in Indonesia, GS Germany and 150 Touren version which is the origin of our Congo Vespa, but kongsian too did not last long because in 1957. they broke up. But the development of GS and 150 Touren continues, when Piaggio cooperation with Martial Fane Organization by establishing Vespa Augsburg GmbH, 1958, from this cooperation later born what we call a Vespa Congo ......