Built by: Markus Minsinger, Kernen (near Stuttgart), Germany

When you look at the box art the Ricksha seems to be not a very attractive car - most pics with the original colors make it look like a toy .... but I gave the kit a closer look and found for myself that the Ricksha is something like a hidden beauty - inside there is a fine, good looking kit with good proportions and a high level of details. With my version of a different reduced color scheme I tried make that visible - its near stock built with just a few modifications.

Some features I changed:

• The engine got a different distributor and some basic wiring.
• The cooling hose was replaced by a piece of guitar string.
• Steering rod was replaced by a real metal rod to look a little finer.
• I replaced the front and rear springs with "real" ones.
• The front suspension arm was cut off the main frame into a separate piece which could be moved up and down like the real one.
• The instruments got some decals and the steering samurai swords grip was covered with a real fine black thread.
• The gear shifter was replaced by a long needle with the shape of the original part - the head was left white to make it look like an ivory ball.
• The top was opened on both sides and some spokes installed to give the look of the real top - finally I found on a local fair some material to make that fine flower pattern on it. I like that stuff --its even thinner than bare metal.
• The letters on the fenders were covered with bare metal.
• Golden Buddha, dragon and exhaust tubes were sprayed with a golden base color and rubbed with graphite dust from a pencil to achieve that deep, heavy full metal gold shine.
• The exhaust tubes got also open metal end tubes.
• What more can I say - oh yes, the hundreds of golden knobs on the upholstery nearly drove me mad.

Have fun and enjoy!