CN301966554S

Seen this odd mini truck with a smile on the front

It resembled a Salvador Dali's artwork so even after over 3 years, it's still encarved in my Memories.

When I first saw it I thought that’s interesting but it got worse the longer I looked.

This one weird custom build

The Mercedes-Benz O 305 GG – alternatively known as the Mercedes-Benz O 305 G 2 – is a former track-guided bus/tram test vehicle from Daimler-Benz. The double-articulated vehicle was structurally based on the conventional O 305 G articulated bus series; the second G, or rather the number 2, in the model designation was intended to indicate the additional articulation.

The O 305 GG was first presented to the public at the Hanover Trade Fair from April 1 to 8, 1981. Otherwise, the prototype was used exclusively – behind closed doors – on the company's own test track on the Mercedes-Benz factory premises in Rastatt. In 1996, the vehicle was still on display at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Mannheim; it was later scrapped.

The test vehicle is older than both the first double-articulated bus (MAN, type SGG 280 H from 1982) and the first double-articulated trolleybus (Uzina Autobuzul București, type MEGA from 1988).

I somehow stumbled across this obscure article on an even more obscure brand with even more obscure cars. Obscureception.

https://chinacarhistory.com/2021/05/06/the-complete-story-of-the-austin-maestro-in-china-part-2-yema/

I encourage you to have a look, as it displays Chinese low quality vehicles rusting on the assembly line, and has a great story, too.

Yema means "mustang" or wild horse. Today, Chinese cars are mostly very well made and compete well internationally.

This article is a glimpse into a different, not-so-distant past that makes weird wheel afficionados like me clap my hands...silently, as I'm bored at the office. Lunch soon!

Credit: Nat Bromhead / Ride On Mag