Jump in my car
Picture of the Day ( 87 )
A man takes his two dogs for a drive in Kamakura.
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87 Comments
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0
kwatt
He doesn't care about flu. He enjoys driving and listening to music with his pets.
0
knackerz
Am I the only one who is shocked by this kind of thing. Two dogs on his lap, wearing headphones and driving.
0
sakurasuki
Cute dogs, Cute car.
0
thebottomline
That's no Grease-Lightning, and Olivia Newton-John was no dog!
0
Disillusioned
In Australia he would receive three hefty traffic fines - No seatbelt, dogs on his lap and wearing headphones all of which carry fines ranging from $80 to $220 and he would lose nearly enough points to have his license suspended, but in Japan, he is cool! He is an idiot! I'm surprised he's not dressed like Ronald McDonald just to complete the look.
0
noshiyoya
same thing in america. tickets, big time! how i envy him :)
0
RMGTTF
Do you really think that thing goes faster than a go car? Still there shouldn't be exceptions to the law. The dude is clearly old and most likely lonely, better doing that that becoming some stalker or even worse... prime minister!!
0
neverknow2
This is not Australia.
0
grafton
In some countries in Europe you can get things like this that are not in fact cars, they are classed as motor bikes & do not require a licence to drive. I really wouldn’t like to be in such a thing in a traffic jam between buses. Could you imagine how much of this thing would be left after even a little crash?
0
BurakuminDes
He is not a safety driver.
0
timeon
I think this "car" is considered the same class as a moped in Japan (less than 50 cc engine). and thereof the speed limit should be 30 km/h, and the safety regulations pretty lax
0
kwatt
Police car would not stop him as long as he is not driving winding like drunk driver. But he would be stopped if driving like this on expressway.
0
noborito
I'm embarrassed for this dude. The woman and man in the background even seem to show they feel this guy is a joke.
0
WilliB
timeone:
Nope. I remember these things from growing up in Europe. It is a post-war German contraption, built from old Messerschmitt fighter plane cockpits and landing gear, plus a motorcycle engine. They have 180 ccm and can zip along quite quickly on the autobahn (no drag). They´d definitely keep up with your Japanese K-car. In Europe they are a collectors item today; I guess it was unavoidable that some found their way to Japan eventually.
0
nutsagain
This passes for 'kakoii' behavior in this country. I'm surprised he's not texting someone and watching TV at the same time frankly. J cops, gotta love 'em.
0
Sarge
I'll bet this guy gets a lot of chicks.
0
bobcatfish
neverknow2 - i believe it is the moderator's job to tell us that what happens in other countries is not relevant. Notwithstanding that most of the people using this site are from other countries and so that is the frame of reference, and notwithstanding that drawing comparisons and seeing patterns is how we learn and develop and make sense of the world.
Moderator: We ask all readers to keep the discussion focused on this photo and refrain from making comparisons with other countries.
0
fatfrenchfool
where are they going to sit if he gives them a lift? balance on his head?
0
Triumvere
Where does one aquire a nose-car?
0
shakakhan
I love this...I come from a small city in the US where there are nothing but minivans and SUVs. So boring! I am truly blessed to live here!
0
timorborder
Good one mods - I would have preferred the picture where this guy was being fined for by the police for not securing his dogs while in the motor vehicle.. But hey, this is Japan after all.
0
nandakandamanda
My brother had one of these. (I had a Heinkel three seater bubble car.) They should be a two-seater, fore and aft, but this one seems to have been made into a one-seater. Unless it's a modern Japanese retro kit car.
0
gogogo
WilliB: The car is Japanese made plastic car, it's classed as a mini car, light blue plate, 50cc engine, no helmet or seatbelt required, only 1 passenger allowed, same rules as a car (right tuns okay - unlike 50cc scooters) but no highway allowed.
0
WilliB
gogo:
In that case, it is modern copy. Here is the original one that I was thinking about:
http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Messerschmitt_Kabinenroller.jpg&filetimestamp=20060220101341
0
Hopfly
WilliB, This vehicle must be quite valuable?
0
gogogo
WilliB: Yep looks like a copy, I wonder if you can take the engine from the orginial one and swap it out, 50cc is mega slow :)
0
jonnyboy
why is everyone so excited about this picture? must be the dullest thing on this site today
0
LoveUSA
women are attracted to men with originality. he is the most original man I have seen in 5 years.
0
soldave
Has he got huge ears or headphones on?
0
bogva
You guys either know nothing for Japanese nor have lived long enough here I guess.
The guy is having the car as a hobby and as a personal appeal. I know few guys driving for example Fiat Uno (the car for pro...tes in Italy) and other low power but gimmick vehicles. Some of them are married - nothing to do with attracting "chicks". They just like retro or unusual and want to show different personality.
You are the ones that always say Japanese are boring and they don't show personality. We see one of those and now what? All are in the opposite line!
0
sarcasm123
"You are the ones that always say Japanese are boring and they don't show personality. We see one of those and now what? All are in the opposite line!"
It's always like that on this site. Whether Japanese do what the stereotypes tell them to do, or whether they do exactly the opposite, the JT public will ALWAYS whine.
0
WilliB
Hopfly:
The German original? Yes, there are people who collect them, repair them, drive them, or just display them.
The plastic copy? I doubt it.
0
Yelnats
It is against the law to wear headphones while riding a bike, but in a car? Dangerous. If he hits something the dogs will turn to Puppy Chow Mein.
0
Den Den
I think there is a hole under the driver, where he shuffles along with his feet. I saw this model on the Flintstones.
0
blvtzpk
I thought he just stepped out of "Roger Rabbit"...
0
Disillusioned
a quick check has revealed dogs on the lap is illegal in Japan, as to is wearing headphones while driving. But, hey! This is Japan. They are not laws. Only guidelines, right?
0
Freespeech
WilliB
The german original "Kabinenroller" was actually made by Messerschmitt after the war but had no component whatsoever borrowed from the fighter planes !
The engine went up to 250cc on the latest versions, which with low weight and good aerodynamics made it very fast ; it was also very famous for flipping over easily, and with the closed aircraft-type tilting canopy it was a deadly trap... All in all it will be remembered as a "killer".
The one on the picture is a very crude copy, just the body lines are respected ; the original did not have a steering wheel (just an airplane type "handlebar") and the cockpit was closed by a perspex canopy that tilted to the side for access.
To another reader : in Europe, microcars with displacement of less than 125cc can be driven without a driver's license, but they are plated (and insured, of course).
0
roomtemperature
It's amazing ( or actually not ) that the usual whining JT audience even starts spitting on a harmless picture like this and try to find ( and even check!!! ) what's illegal about it. Don't these guys have anything more meaningful to do every day? I mean, they believe everything in Japan is by defenition wrong if it's not the same their own country!! Always the pathetic comparisson with their own country. I certainly think the guy in the picture is not the idiot here.
0
herefornow
Why doesn't the guy just drive down the street with a bullhorn shouting "Hey check me out"? I mean, my God, an orange car with two over-dressed dogs on his lap, just screams of insecurity and a need for attention. I can hear the high-pitched squeals from the teenage girls of "KAWAII" from here.
0
T_rexmaxytime
I like the pic. I also think this dude is KOOL! I also think that negative people on JT are losers.
0
dishdash
I agree with Bogva - if you have lived in Japan long enough - this is just this guy's thing. I have to say though wearing what look like Bose headphones aint too smart - hopefully he wont run over one of his poodles. The car reminds me of one those fairground rides where you bash into one another.
0
stirfry
why would a man own poodles ? buy dogs instead
0
Ah_so
Exactly - he only has one seat - where the hell would he put the dogs otherwise?
What fool would faithfully follow every rule of the road in Japan - look at the absurdly low speed limits - it easier to get and jog that follow them and everyone does 10 to 20 more than the official limit. I used to regularly (and safely) do over 90 in a country road, and would have done more if Kei-chan had had it in her.
0
presto345
Could the man be physically challenged? The vehicle is probably a lot safer to drive than one of those motorized wheelchairs.
0
WilliB
presto:
If he was physically challenged, he´d have a hard time getting into the contraption. Unless you think that is physical therapy :-)
0
cnc
for those who dont know. The car is Japanese manufactured by mitsuoka and is sold as a kit, which the buyer puts together at home. It costs a cool million yen and is powered by a 50cc engine which comes with the kit.
0
flammenwerfer
I think he is foolish (unsafe driving manner) that is all.
0
roomtemperature
May I remind you all.............it's just a picture!!!!!
0
roomtemperature
For me as well.........never again JT!!!! Too many North Americans and Australians who think they all know it so well. Adios!!!
0
IvanCoughalot
In my opinion, this man looks quite ridiculous.
0
usaexpat
That is a very cute little car. Not very practical but I'm sure it draws lots of attention.
0
fatfrenchfool
I agree with Ivancough, rather ridiculous what what?
0
metto
Or maybe on the other hand, the guy is a success and feels he has the right to be different. Go for it!
0
Fadamor
More power to the guy! In a time where most adults try to fit into a cookie-cutter image, this guy is doing his own thing. I'm going to slaughter this quotation so I apologize in advance:
"Two roads diverged in the woods and I, I took the road less travelled."
This guy is the living embodiment of that quote.
0
IvanCoughalot
Fadamor - he certainly doesn't fit into the psychological profile of men who try to overcompensate for perceived shortcomings by buying a gas-guzzler and stomping around with pitbulls, eh?
0
Fadamor
I wish we could edit our posts so I could correct my post above rather than make a new post. Oh well. The CORRECT quote (with proper attribution) is:
Robert Frost - "The Road Not Taken"
0
seesaw
LoveUSA: You mean attracted to men with originality like the one in the pic?...you're joking..?..:)
0
jeffrey
Back to the future. I remember seeing the first Honda Civics in the U.S. and thinking they looked like death traps. That, however, is nothing but a three-wheeled motorcycle with a body. Makes a Smart Car look like a Hummer!
What's up with the headphones? That can't be legal in Japan.
0
DailyBread
Great shopping car(bigboot)Great sunshine, Poodles ! well everyone to their own , heads turning wonderful , next time I will advertise my website shop for dogs on the side and when I make a fortune I'll pay someone to drive around and make a bigger fortune . Anybody need a job ?
0
SiouxGirl
He's downsizing. Small dogs are small and have smaller items coming out the back end that an owner needs to pick up. They take up less space in a dwelling but they still alert by barking. You can also train them to use a cat box during cold winter nights. You don't want to have a big dog doing cat box in the house. Meanwhile, I'm loving this pic. Sunny days, posters!
0
Himajin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoE-7AEBDls
A short video of a test drive.
0
Fadamor
The poodles have goggles on. Does that make the eyewear "poogles"?
0
telecasterplayer
T-Rex I must agree with you on both counts
0
M51T
A chap in a tiny car with his poodles, listening to music through headphones is just too much for many JT readers.
How dare he do this!
0
8iamhappy8
This guy's got no girlfriends... Hence, the need to be flashy to attract attention. However, he isn't the player-type either... He's probably doing it just for the sake of doing it and enjoying life. Hence, this is why this picture is A-OK in my book!
0
WilliB
Has anyone spotted this one in Japan yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIND2jRSEhc&NR=1
0
WhiteHawk
Wow, a Japanese update on the old Messerschmitt! There's an original in a local car museum (Lane Motor Museum, Nashville). Really neat.
And some people say the Japanese have no individuality, and then complain when they do!
This guy is doing what he wants, living his dream, and not hurting anyone. More power to him.
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