Bright red Toyota Crown taxis are an icon of Hong Kong, so why would one be cruising around the streets of the Gold Coast in Australia?
SBS News has the backstory.
One wouldn’t bat an eyelid if they saw a red Toyota Crown taxi in Hong Kong and the iconic vehicle can now be spotted in Australia thanks to the handywork of one homesick Hongkonger living on the Gold Coast.
Sampson Wong, who migrated 25 years ago, said it took him under five days to convert the Toyota Crown into a “taxi” and considered himself “lucky” for finding the model for sale online in Japan.
“It feels very familiar because it’s a sight I grew up with,” Mr Wong said.
All the add-ons, including its roof light box, fare metre, price lists, yellow rule decals and no-smoking stickers, were sourced during personal trips to Hong Kong taxi dealerships and junkyards.
He added that he was able to complete his project, including buying, importing, modifying the vehicle, for under $30,000.
The idea to make the replica was first born during Mr Wong’s previous life as a part-time taxi driver while studying in Adelaide.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be fun and funny if I drove a Hong Kong-style taxi in Australia one day?” he said.
Mr Wong said he had plans to go on a long road trip to post pictures of his “taxi” in front of famous Australia landmarks.
“I want to stopover. take some pictures and add them to a blog,” Mr Wong said.
Beyond that, he has already set his sights on his next creative endeavour: retrofitting a Hong Kong public light bus – one of the city’s other familiar sights.
“This represents (the) personal affinity I have for Hong Kong,” he said.
Footnote
There are also a number of retired Hong Kong double deck buses in Sydney, and a similar replica Hong Kong taxi in Toronto.