Red taxis are a common sight in Hong Kong, but one vehicle is turning heads in Melbourne thanks to a group of nostalgic friends.
Car enthusiasts—Victor Man, Malcolm Lam, Jacky Chu, and Vince—have turned to the iconic Hong Kong taxi to celebrate their heritage.
After meeting a fellow car lover, they’ve brought the modified Toyota Crown from Queensland to Victoria.
‘Something red, something flashy, something iconic.’
The idea was sparked during a visit to a Hong Kong cafe Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With overseas travel restrictions in place, the friends decided to bring a slice of Hong Kong to Melbourne.
“If we can’t go home because of the pandemic, we’ll bring a piece of home to us,” Vincent said.
They considered various iconic symbols before settling on the red taxi, a staple of Hong Kong’s streets.
“Everyone in Hong Kong has a story with a cab, whether it’s a good story or a bad story.”
Cab found in Queensland and the big swap
Their search led them to Queensland, where in the corner of a workshop they unearthed their dream car, a vivid red Toyota Crown.
Another Hong Konger and ‘car guy by heart’ Sampson Wong, had imported and remodelled a version of the Chinese-territory’s iconic vehicle.
During a business trip Malcolm Lam met the owner, “he turned to me and said, ‘I’ve had my fun. I’m looking to sell.”
The original owner’s project also came from a deep sense of homesickness.
He had always dreamed of the taxi visiting Australia’s big attractions, a vision the boys eagerly embraced as they drove the car back to Melbourne.
Toyota Crown: The king of taxis in Asia
Toyota Crowns are legends in the Asian taxi scene, and for good reason.
These cars, were first introduced in the 1950s, since then Crowns have been zipping through Asia city streets day in and day out.
“It’s part and parcel of the culture,” Malcolm said.
A drive down memory lane
“It’s like a piece of home that people recognise,” Victor said.
Growing up, Victor, Malcolm, and Jacky visited Hong Kong often, unlike Vince, who has a Cantonese background only visited as an adult.
“For me, getting this reminds me of my childhood, watching TV and movies with my grandfather,” Vince shared.
The car has not only rekindled memories for its owners but also for the wider community.
“People see the taxi and they’re speechless, shocked, happy,” said Jacky.
“It feels like someone’s acknowledged a part of our culture,” one passerby remarked.
Visitors from various backgrounds have expressed their delight in seeing such a unique cultural symbol in Australia
No drunks allowed
Looking ahead, the friends envision the taxi being used for special events rather than as a regular cab.
They also dream of expanding their collection, “It comes in three colours… It’d be nice to get a blue and a green one to go with the red,” they said.
I think the ultimate plan would be for it to be used for event cars, weddings and photoshoots, Victor explained.
Definitely not to drive drunken people home from the city,” Vince said.
And while the car is more for show than for service, the journey hasn’t been without challenges.
“If anyone knows how to wire a taxi meter, contact us because we have no idea how to get ours going. Please help. And see you at a local Hong Kong cafe sometime soon,” the car fans said.
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