A couple of Viennese Vespa owners found in June 1953 in Vienna the Vespa club Austria, at the beginning of the boom time of those single-lane motor vehicles, which everyone called at that time still simply "scooter". Purpose of the club: Maintenance of sporty and social contacts of the Vespa drivers in Austria, but not only in Austria - also with the Vespa by engine tourism in whole Europe. Due to the increasing enthusiasm and the founding of local Vespa Clubs a pure roof federation became necessary. Therefore the “real” Vespa Club Austria was founded – and the Vienna Vespisti hand over the name to the new roof organization (and took a new name “Vespa Club Vienna).
The first international Vespa meeting took place 1955 in Vienna. Receipt of the participants in the yard of the Viennese city hall by Mr. vice-mayor Afritsch.
The first "Eurovespa" in Austria was organized 1966 in Salzburg under the honour protection of the governor Mr. DDr. Lechner, as well as the mayor Mr. KR. Dir. Baeck and his Exz. Archbishop DDDr. Rohracher. 500 Vespisti from 15 European countries participated.
Up in to the mid ’90s the VC Austria was leaded by executives from VC Vienna. Therefore the most international Meetings took place in Vienna (’63, ’68, ’73, ‘68) or was organized with strong support from VC Vienna (Vespa Rally Salzburg 1964, International Borderland Meeting in Radkersburg 1966 where 80 Vespisti from 7 European countries could cross the Austrian-Yugoslavian border on these two meeting days almost without customs formalities several times).
Between the 70s and the early 80s the scooter and Vespa enthusiasm disappears completely - everyone bought a car, a scooter was very uncool. The most clubs disappeared and the VCA slept a witched sleep – but not long, because a few people defend the Vespa-style and start again!
The VC Vienna organised for the VC Austria ’87 an Eurovespa in Krems (near to Vienna) with approximatly 1000 guests.
Between ’89 and ‘93 we aligned again, in small extent and against the general trend, gymkhanas and trails, according to old rules (‘60s). Due the friendly relations between the clubs Hollabrunn, Krems, St. Poelten and Vienna the adjustment of qualitivly better meetings was supported, common enterprises became more and the relations got more closer. Also the touristic activities intensified since 89 (vacation travels, visit foreign clubs and sportive meetings / EuroRaid 92!) were accomplished again with more Vespisti .
Between ‘93 – ‘98 slow change of trend, but a definitely one, in the VCA to more quality. Now almost all meetings or Run's are "able to visit" (with exceptions and depending upon taste). Gymkhanas and Trails are now fix constituent of the meeting calendar (after long time again one Austrian Crew with the European championship gymkhana 97). Contrary to the international sport meetings the VCA sport championship is aligned based on historic regulations and is to complete with the standard “original” scooter (take part with your daily used scooter). An important point was the founding of the Austrian "historical Vespa register" for our vintages. With thus step Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria have now a common regulation.
In 1998 we celebrate our 45 year anniversary Schladming with limited number of and invited guests. Unfortunately we had a very, very bad weather, so the VC Vienna organized a few months after an Heurigen evening for our Oldies and there international guests.
23. May 1999 - Manfred Federanko won as first "non-Italian" the EuroRaid (European Vespa touring championship).
The Eurovespas 2003 (Vienna, Organised by VC Vienna, approx. 2500 participants) and 2005 (Carinthia, VC Wörthersee, more than 2500 participants) was very successful!
So let you see personaly in Zell am See / Salzburg during our next Vespa World Days from 11th to 14th of June 2009!!
We would be happy to meet you and your friends!