Why is the Vespa like a Jeepney?

Having seen the picture of this mod-style Vespa fashioned with major pimping and bling-bling on it, it suddenly dawned on me how a Vespa could be so much like our very own jeepney.

image from vespa.com.tw

image from www.uwenetz.net

 

Let me count the ways how these two vehicles are alike based on various information I culled over the internet.

1. Post-war creations (circa 40’s)

In 1946, immediately after Second World War, Piaggio assesed that making warplanes would no longer viable for them so they decided going into the light mobility business to help the Italians maneuver through bombed-out streets and rubble in the wake of WWII.

The original jeepney is a post-war creation from salvaged GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. As the US troops began to leave the Philippines at the end of the war, hundreds of surplus jeeps were sold or given to Filipinos.

2. For the Masses

Enrico Piaggio, the son of Piaggio’s founder Rinaldo Piaggio, decided to leave the aeronautical field in order to address Italy’s urgent need for a modern and affordable mode of transportation. The idea was to design a cheap vehicle for the masses.

Since virtually all lines of the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (Meralco)’s Tramvia have been destroyed during World War II, the jeepney rapidly emerged as a popular and creative way to re-establish inexpensive public transportation.

3. Cultural Icons

With its elegant lines and classic aesthetics, the Vespa is recognized as the epitome of Italian design. It stands as a symbol of resilience in post-war Italy of both its people and the economy. It also remains as an icon of dreams, freedom and fun!

Jeepney remains the undisputed “King of the Philippine Roads.” Since it first emerged after the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, it has become a fixture in roads all over the country – so much so that it is now considered a symbol of national pride.

4. Vesatility & Utility

A Vespa is considered a utilitarian vehicle for hauling products and sometimes up to 5 family members in much of Asia and Mexico.

Jeepneys are not just used as public transport, they are used are reliable delivery/cargo vehicles not just in “Manila to any point of Luzon;” but throughout the archipelago.

5. Bling-bling potential

While already a charmer as it is, the mod lifestyle in the UK in the late 50’s until the 60’s had their Vespas festooned with finely-polished chrome, wing mirrors and lights as perfectly depicted in the movie, Quadrophenia. The same accessorizing is still prevalent with some Vespa riders of today.

Jeepneys are often painted and crafted with ornate designs and decked with all sort of things: flags, horses, horns, strob lights, stickers, curtains and many more. The colorful designs, which distinguish one from another, carry themes ranging from the serious to the outright silly, but all uniquely Filipino.

6. Heavy Metal

Classic Vespas had unibody chassis pressed from sheets of steel, with bodywork covering the legs for protection from rain and mud.

A jeepney’s body is made up of galvanized iron and steel but often specially treated to simulate the gleam of chrome or silver.

7. Hard Rock

Hard Rock Cafe – Roma made a souvenir pin of a fully-covered woman on a Vespa.

In 2003, Hard Rock Cafe – Makati, Philippines came out with a pin of barely-covered woman on a jeepney. 😉

8. Absolut Representation

As featured in my previous post, Absolute Vodka used a Vespa as the subject of the “Absolut Rome” ad…

…while we play ‘where’s the bottle’ in “Absolut Manila” when the Absolut Company featured a jeepney.

9. Naked Truth

Some women are willing to drop their clothes and pose naked in front of a Vespa.

 

 

Same goes for the jeepney.

 

 

Sorry guys, but you can’t click and enlarge the thumbnails above. If you want to see porn nude art along with these vehicles, I’m sure you know where to look. 😉

10. Off the ‘Endangered Species’ list

In 1985, Vespa disappeared from American roadways due to stringent emissions regulations. But Vespas now fully satisfies American emissions requirements hence its recent re-introduction to the American market in 2001.

Passenger jeepneys are also facing increasing restrictions and regulations for pollution controls, as they increase amount of traffic and consume lots of fuel. A recent published study compared the fuel use of a 16-passenger jeepney to a 54-passenger air-conditioned bus and found that the fuel consumption for both was the same. But the introduction of the jumbo jeepney in February of this year utilizes brand-new Isuzu diesel engines (instead of surplus) that are certified Euro-compliant and conforms with the Clean Air Act program, which means that they meet the very strict European emission standards.

11. Tourist Appeal

www.italybyvespa.com offers weeklong luxury tours of Tuscany, a northwestern region of Italy during the spring and fall, as well as five-night packages and custom tours, upon request. It include accommodations, use of a red Vespa, gourmet meals, fees for all activities and more. Pre- and post-trip excursions and private guided tours in Florence, Rome, and Amalfi can also be easily arranged.

Our Department of Tourism recently announced that jumbo jeepneys are ready to run the routes of SM Mall of Asia-Ninoy Aquino International Airport, SM Mall of Asia-Intramuros, and Rustans Makati-Eastwood, Libis. Other routes are also being considered to provide utmost convenience of commuters an tourists. Passengers can hop in and walk inside upright and no longer bend the way they do in ordinary jeepneys. Equipped with modern ammenities, passengers of the jumbo jeepney can indulge in some kind of luxury while commuting. The units are air-conditioned and furnished with upholstered seats, alarm, stereo systems, televisions, and DVD players.

Tara na, biyahe tayo!

-o-
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J0HNRANA

john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com