MS Features: The Singaporean who turned an old vehicle into the retro Hong Kong taxi
On 15 Aug, Singaporeans online raised their eyebrows when a rather unique vehicle went up for sale on used car platform Sgcarmart.
Listed as a Toyota Corolla 1.3M, the listing immediately captures your attention with its bright red and silver paint.
Source: Sgcarmart
According to the description and photos, the taxi not only comes with a taxi lightbox, but also a fully functional metre.
It is currently listed at S$168,888.
But despite its flashy looks — which has gotten it noticed on the road by car enthusiasts and even the law — the owner said that the vehicle’s real value comes from the effort he put in to create it, and the memory it evokes.
Why restore an old Corolla and turn it into a retro taxi?
The man behind the viral vehicle is 31-year-old Jack Yong, who works as a Sales Manager at JA8 Import and Export, a vehicle exporting company based in Singapore.
Speaking to MS News, Jack said that the retro Hong Kong taxi was inspired by a cherished memory from his childhood.
Jack grew up in what he describes as a “very ordinary family”. Because of their financial situation, traveling abroad was not something they could often afford.
However, when he was 12, his family took him to Hong Kong — his first time overseas.
Being an adventurous and curious child, he quickly got himself into some trouble.
“While walking around the busy streets with my family, I somehow got separated from them,” he recalled.
“I remember being extremely nervous and scared. I was only 12 years old and suddenly found myself alone in a completely unfamiliar place.”
Fortunately, a stranger spotted the distressed young Jack and helped him find his family.
“It was a very simple act of kindness, but it left a very deep impression on me,” Jack said. Despite it being nearly 20 years ago, the kindness he felt that day remained with him.
Source: Jack Jagger on Facebook
Because of his fond memories of Hong Kong, Jack went to extra mile when he got the opportunity to restore a Toyota KE70.
The goal was to recreate “something from an era and place that holds a special meaning to [him]”.
The complete package
But the restoration was not an easy process.
Jack spent over a year on his personal passion project, sourcing parts and repairing the vehicle. The hardest part? Getting the retro feel just right.
Beyond the paint, Jack also made sure to get the right accessories for the vehicle, which was not easy to do. It was difficult for Jack to get a hold of just the right kind of lightbox to put on the roof of the vehicle.
“Eventually, I had to custom-modify a room light to recreate the look,” he added.
Source: Sgcarmart
He also made sure to have a metre in the vehicle.
For this, he ordered one from Taobao that he said was originally used by taxis in Hong Kong. However, he also ran into a slight issue with it.
“Because the vehicle is now more than 40 years old, the original type of meter couldn’t accurately detect the distance travelled by the vehicle,” he explained.
“So instead, I modified the system so that the fare increases based on time — approximately $0.50 every 30 seconds while the vehicle is moving.”
Source: Sgcarmart
Jack said restoring old vehicles is challenging because you have to understand the older systems in place and be ready to improvise when parts are not readily available.
Source: Sgcarmart
“Anyone can paint a car red and silver, but recreating the overall character, atmosphere and little details of an old Hong Kong taxi takes much more effort,” Jack said. That effort has led to him being attached to the vehicle.
“In a way, it isn’t just a car to me — it carries a small piece of my childhood and a memory that I’ve kept for almost 20 years,” he explained.
Deciding to part with the vehicle
Which is why it may come as a surprise that Jack is planning on selling his beloved retro taxi.
Source: Sgcarmart
“It was never intended to be my daily car,” he said. “It started out as a passion project — something I enjoyed building, restoring and taking out for a drive whenever I had the time.”
But due to his busy work schedule, he has not had the time to appreciate his vehicle nor drive it.
“I realised that the car deserves to be driven and appreciated more often than I’m currently able to,” Jack explained.
Source: Jack Jagger on Facebook
He hopes that the car will go to someone who will shower it with as much love as he does.
“I’m not necessarily looking for someone who simply wants an old Toyota. I would much rather see it go to someone who appreciates the amount of effort, time and thought that went into restoring it, and who will continue to maintain it and bring it out on the road,” he said.
For me, I also hope that it won’t simply be a transaction. I’d genuinely like to make a friend out of the new owner.
Despite parting ways with the vehicle, he hopes the new friendship will allow him to help the new owner with maintaining the vehicle.
That even includes giving tips on the vehicle’s little quirks since it’s a very old car.
“I’ve put so much time and effort into the car that I would really like to see it continue to be enjoyed, rather than end up sitting in a workshop or storage space somewhere,” he said.
The public interest
With a car that flashy, it is hard to stay under the radar.
Even so, Jack said the attention from the public was unexpected — but something he greatly enjoyed.
“I never imagined that so many people would recognise it, take photos and share it online,” he remarked. “Whenever I stop at a junction, I often get a thumbs-up from people in the cars beside me.”
Strangers on the road would even strike up conversations to share parts of themselves with him.
Source: Jack Jagger on Facebook
“While I was in Johor Bahru, a motorcyclist actually stopped beside me, knocked on my window and started chatting with me. He told me that his father used to own the same model when he was younger,” Jack shared.
“You really don’t get to drive this car anonymously,” he noted.
So far, a couple of buyers have already messaged him to express interest in the car.
“I’ve had people approach me asking whether the car is genuinely for sale,” he shared. “I also received an enquiry from someone asking whether the vehicle could potentially be registered as a PHV (Private Hire Vehicle).”
As of writing, the listing remains up.
The vehicle is on a registered under the Classic Vehicle Scheme with 20 remaining free days. The Certificate of Entitlement (COE) is valid until June 2033.
Also read: Owner of viral ‘Hong Kong taxi’ owner told to remove ‘taxi’ decal on car
Owner of viral ‘Hong Kong taxi’ owner told to remove ‘taxi’ decal on car
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Featured image adapted from Jack Jagger on Facebook and Facebook.
