Simbah

Gambar 1. 

Simbah Mercy Bagong.

He (sorry, it should be 'it') is Mercedez-Benz L series, equipped with diesel direct Injection OM352, 5700 cc, with 6 cylinders resulting 130 HP. In Indonesia, the common used specification are 1113/1313, with the capacity 7,5 ton, 15 ton, 19 ton, and 21 ton. But off course these limitation are just formal reference since mostly the owner neglected it though.

The L-series was first produced in Germany in 1959 and was in production for export until 1995, long after domestic German sales had ended. The L-series was a big export success for Mercedes-Benz and became very popular in the Middle-East, South America and Africa, and off course in Indonesia as well.

Originally, medium-weight trucks (L323 and L327, with 110 PS or 81 kW inline-six diesels) intended for shorter delivery and construction work were built in Mercedes' Mannheim plant. The heavier trucks, for long-distance and heavy construction work, were built in the Gaggenau plant.[2] These were designated L337 and L332B (L334B from 1960), with 12 t (26,500 lb) or 19 t (41,900 lb) total weights and 172–180 PS (127–132 kW) diesel six-cylinders. In 1962 the more powerful 19 tonne L334C was added, mainly intended for export. The model designations were a warren of letter combinations reflecting the vehicle's intended use, until a new system (still in use today) including overall weight and engine power was introduced in the summer of 1963.

The 5.7 L (5,675 cc) OM352 was Mercedes-Benz' first direct-injection diesel engine. After having debuted in 1964, a 130 PS (96 kW) it found its way into the Kurzhauber in the 1967 L/LP 1113B series ("11" for the tonnage, "13" reflecting tens of horsepower). The engine (and other versions thereof) gradually spread through the range, replacing the earlier indirect-injection units. After 1995, production in Germany ceased but was continued at Mercedes-Benz factories in South America, where it had already been built for some time.

He got special nickname in Indonesia, Mercy BAGONG; maybe because his face looks similar with Bagong, a member of PUNOKAWAN, an ancient Javanese puppet character, WAYANG.

Gambar 2. 

Simbah Mercy Bagong, in reality.

I wrote this page since for me, this truck kept a lot of memories. In 1988-1990, I saw a lot of this kind of truck hasve been operated in Java Island, and off course we still can find it being operated now. I cried at that time and requested to my grandpa to buy its miniature for me (now, my grandpa had passes away). At that time we couldn't find the miniature in any shop; hence my grandpa asked a carpenter to make a truck I just requested. Amazingly, the carpenter has made an awesome big truck, but unfortunately, he couldn't get what I meant. But, it was make me happy at that time. And now, off course, I absolutely understand how big my grandpa's love is.

Mungkin do'a saya tak sampai atas beliau, tapi jika ada benih aqidah di akhir hayat beliau, semoga Allah SWT sampaikan do'a ini atas beliau... Allahummaghfirlahu...



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