Jo Huxster and Antonia “Ants” Bolingbroke-Kent wil start their 10,000-mile tuk-tuk adventure Saturday, starting a three-month drive from Bangkok to Brighton to raise awareness and money for mental health charity Mind (I’m sure we’re not the first to question their own sanity). Their Tuk-Tuk, named “Ting Tong,” was custom-built in Thailand by Anuwat Yuteeraprapa at Expertise. You can follow their adventures in their blog. (thanks Becky for the info)
I’ve always wondered what the Thai tuktuks were based on? Does anyone else suspect that they are a derivative of the Lambro? They’re clearly not a Bajaj product which is a little surprising since you’d think Bajaj has world domination of the autorickshaw/tuktuk market.
From what I can tell, there are many small companies that make them, probably welding their own tube frames and sheetmetal bodies, and using whatever engines and components are available. Locally-made tuk-tuks are probably cheaper and more customizable than even Bajaj’s. Speaking of which, with the Chetak gone, what has become of Bajaj’s three-wheelers, didn’t they use similar engines and components?