Monday, June 03, 2013

Things I saw...


When did they put that there?
I have passed this sign literally hundreds of times in a car, on a bike, on foot... Yesterday was the first time I noticed it. The logo may claim to be old fashioned, but the font used in "switcheroo choo choo" is disco, baby. An internet search shows it to have been registered to Soren Industries, Inc., maker of "substantially wood" toys, in 1979.

I am the egg truck! Koo koo ka choo!
The above scene, which can be embiggenated, was snapped from the Monon Trail just north of the Fairgrounds leaving the fun show yesterday. Bobbi fell in love with the truckette at first sight. Nobody had been shot within ten blocks of where I was standing for almost twelve hours when this photo was taken.
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20 comments:

J.R.Shirley said...

Ah, how cute. That's like a go-kart, only smaller.

mustanger said...

Y'all notice that's a three tire job? I recall a golf cart my uncle had a long time ago... three wheels and the steering was iffier than if it had four.

I haven't heard "koo koo ka choo" anywhere in a long time.

word verification: and nRequic

Anonymous said...

In the first pic the grafitti cover up looks like Pumbaa and Timon...

Robert Fowler said...

In most states, the little 3 wheeled truck would be considered a motorcycle.

Angus McThag said...

A Chevy Luv is a truckette; that's a trucklette.

og said...

Those puppies tip over hella easy too! makes for riotous fun.

perlhaqr said...

Robert: That's intentional. Tax purposes.

Tam: Bobbi would love New Zealand, then. They have little tiny pickups like that all over the place. Mostly made in Japan, and known as "Kei Trucks" there.

They are, in fact, totally adorable.

Rob K said...

It reminds me of the Mack-branded little Daihatsu truck the used car dealer in Flora had on the lot a couple of years ago, complete with the bull dog on the front. I wanted that so badly, but I just couldn't justify it.

BobG said...

I could carry more stuff in my photographer's vest.

Anonymous said...

Saw a late 50s Subie once. On a used car lot. The story was, the previous owner traded it in, as it wouldn't drive up into the mountains N. of Phoenix, not enough torque. Or power.
The engine appeared as a Briggs and Stratton. The car, like a VW Beetle, with the bumpers rounded down!
Top speed 50, I think!

gfa

John A said...

Egg truck - WANT!

Saw this even smaller (but four wheeled) version a while back - looks like a hobbyist mechanic's custom build.

http://cheezburger.com/7376685312

Alas, had to give up motor vehicles - insurance is more than the payments on a new (under $45k) car.

og said...

Armed: you mean a SuBARu?

http://youtu.be/qzvmPpXTAqM


Anonymous said...

Based on my experiences with older 3-wheeled ATVs, that roll bar was probably a good idea. Enter a turn a little too fast, tap the brakes...

Barry said...

There's one of these out here in my neighborhood, too (Richmond, IN-ish). It's yellow and everytime I see it I want it.

jdunmyer said...

Buck & Knobby Equipment (John Deere Industrial dealer on US 23, just north of the Ohio line) has had one or 2 of those tiny trucks on their lot for a couple of years. They were/are 4 wheel versions, but still.

Unfortunately, I've been told that they're not street legal, although I did see one on the road a couple of years ago. If I was sure I could license it for the street, I'd be really, really tempted.

Anonymous said...

No, you DON'T want it. They tip over if you look at them sideways. Nearly every one I've seen has had at least one side abraded down to bare metal in long stripes from sliding along on it's side.

If'n y'all gotta have a three-wheeler, get one with the two wheels in the front and the single wheel in the back. That kind handles almost as well as a full-on four wheel sports car.

BSR

Alan J. said...

Looks like the WF650-T found at http://www.extrememotorsales.com/WF650T-3Wheel-Truck-Car.htm

I notice that they talk a lot about its great gas mileage (60mpg+) but don't say a lot about its safety features; shoulder harnesses only, no airbags or lap seat belts.

Will said...

That British show "Top Gear(?) did an episode on the "Robin"?, I think it's called. Jeremy Clarkson had a lot of fun sliding that three wheeler on it's side. He wore a crash helmet while driving it.

Anonymous said...

I have the 4 wheel 4wd version.We use it on the farm and love it.Here in il. the 3 wheel version can b licensed as a motorcycle 4 wheel version no way

DAG said...

If you really want that truck its made by Zap which used to be a canadian company till the chinese bought them out.

http://www.zapworld.com/zap-xebra-electric-car-truck