Friend of Hooniverse, Joe, spotted this three-wheeled contraption on his holiday in Croatia. Originally an Italian development, Tuk-Tuks or auto rickshaws have popped up all around the warmer climates, where they work well as an uncomplicated means of transport. Perhaps you remember the one from Octopussy, popping a wheelie.
This blue, German-registered example made by Piaggio was touring the Adriatic Sea, and from Croatia it would have continued to Montenegro, then Albania and back via Italy. Quite a ride!
Over 5300 kms, or 3300 miles. Damn.
And seemingly choking the chicken all the way.
The leather-trimmed interior is even quite fancy.
Sorry, I can’t faster. Well put!
It’s probably great fun to drive on winding coastal roads – as fast as it goes.
[Photos: Joe W]
Three-Wheel Tuesday: A Tuk-Tuk on a European Tour
By Antti Kautonen
Jul 14, 2015
By Antti Kautonen
The resident Finn of Hooniverse. Owns old Peugeots and whatnot, writes long thinkpieces on unloved cars. These two facts might be related.
Jeff Glucker 
Peter Tanshanomi
Photos I took on Capri, where they have some kind of tradition, most if not all taxis are open- top.
http://www.upload.ee/image/4841749/PA031378.JPG
http://www.upload.ee/image/4841755/PA031374.JPG
Shouldn’t the white one be a Mercury Capri to be 100% Capri?
Here in Europe right car would be Ford Capri, couldn’t find any photo of that car where it’s both decapitated and stretched.
http://www.ford-capri.ch/pictures/foto-galerie/mk-III/l-i-mkIII-capri-cabriolet-3s.JPG
But wouldn’t an imported Fox-body Capri be more fashionable? Especially considering what I’ve heard Fox-body Mustangs are going for!
http://assets.hemmings.com/uimage/31782802-270-0@2x.jpg?rev=1
I can only imagine how badly those things would handle with the cut & stretch job. I swear you could almost see the body flex when people climbed aboard.
All I managed in my three-wheeler this last weekend was a 200-mile round-trip between Seattle and Shelton, WA, for the LeMons race at The Ridge. I’ve got to start thinking bigger.
Funny how those things are usually named after the sound they make. In Italy they’re known as “ape” (bees).
With 50cc scooter engines, acceleration in glacial at best, but drivers compensate by not shedding any speed for any reason or obstacle once moving.
That’s a 2007 999-piece limited edition Piaggio Ape Calessino.
http://media.motoblog.it/a/ape/ape-calessino-limited-edition/piaggio_ape_calessino_04.jpg
Wow, that is positively overflowing with meme-juice.
http://i1.wp.com/hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/6244029ba62d5557adb216b185378e4f.jpg?resize=480%2C360