Should we ever stop being kids? The wisest decision one can make in life is to keep the little child inside, and never let it fully grow. Many of you surely remember the times when you were cruising down the sidewalk in a red and yellow plastic Little Tikes toy car.
So, if you are still fascinated by this toy car and this makes you nostalgic, we have some good news: there is an adult version of the Little Tikes!
Since its appearance on the market in 1979, the Little Tikes toy car, or Cozy Coupe, has been modified several times. It was redesigned in 1999, and the original roof poles were replaced with thick yellow ones.
In 2009, the toy car celebrated its 30th birthday, so it got cartoon eyes and a smile on the front. Cup holders were also added for both, kids and their parents.
Yet, all this time, the car has been extremely popular and was named the number 1 selling car in America several times. It brings back amazing memories for those who rode the famed red and yellow plastic vehicle around kitchens and driveways.
Two brothers, John and Geoff Bitmead, are mechanics and owners of Attitude Autos in the UK.
Back in 2013, when they couldn’t sell a Daewoo Matiz car, they got a great idea!
The car’s front resembles the one of Cozy Coupe, so they modified it to look just like the iconic toy car!
This adult version has its red and yellow colors and is completely functional and legal to drive. It uses gas and can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour.
The car is also equipped with airbags, headlights, mirrors, and a gas tank. Just like the original toy car, it doesn’t come with a windshield nor any windows for that matter, so it is suitable for sunny days only!
The initial idea was to drive the car around the community and spread the attention to social media sites.
However, it gained so much attention worldwide, that it even got a Guinness World Records certification!
Yet, after some time, they decided to sell it on eBay for £21,500 ( $33,000).
Geoff Bitmead explained:
“We were hoping it would be out on a regular basis, create some revenue and recoup the money used to build it. But in real life, it ended up going out four or five times in two years. So we thought we might as well sell it and if anyone’s interested in buying it that will bring back some money for us.”
The advert read:
“We have covered over 5,000 miles in the past two years driving around shows and charity events in the UK and apart from it not being the fastest car on the planet has been the most incredible fun with people queuing up to take photos along dual carriageways and highways on every trip.
“Guaranteed to create smiles wherever it goes!”
The brothers loved people’s reactions to the car when they passed by while driving it.
Geoff added:
“They’re amazed to see the real thing on the road. I’ve seen people with tattoos all up their arms walking along the road just cheering at us. There was that kind of response to it. Everybody recognized it. It’s part of our life. We see these things in people’s front gardens, and now you can see it on the road.”
Sources:
www.nbc26.com
awesomejelly.com
www.mirror.co.uk
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