Thread: Funky old Lao cars!

I just got back from my first trip to Vieng Chang, or Vientiane or however you spell it. Rather than post pictures of the Wats & guesthouses, I thought I post these pics!

Unlike Bangkok, where you rarely see a car that is more than 10 years old, Vieng Chang is full of funky old vehicles from all over the world. Here is a typical old French thing, a Citroen I think:

I spotted this old Morris across the street from our Guesthouse:

This one is an older Mercedes, from the late '50's up to '60 or '61 (I don't remember exactly when they got fins in the back).

Now, I've always heard this model referred to as a London Taxi. I don't know if that is the official name or just a nickname.'





It was parked outside of some expensive looking hotel.

I think that this is another old French car:

Once, long ago, this was the top of the Toyota line! It's a Toyota President, basically a tarted up Crown, from the early '70s.

Next we have an older Japanese Sports car: A Datsun Roadster from circa 1970.

I'll finish up with another Citroen, we saw this one by the river at some kind of French/Lao festival:

first time i took my dad to laos i decided eto pay for a taxi from the bridge instead of getting the local bus. This beat up car came into view and my dad laughingly said wouldn't it be funny if that was our taxi. I knew it would be and it really was a bucket. However it got us there and was the first memories of laos that my dad still finds amusing. I love visa runs or just short breaks in laos, such an easy place to unwind, sitting by the mekong drinking beer laos..

That's a peugeot 203
Complete with worm drive diff, if I remember correctly

Well done Qwerty: certainly gives a different perspective to what we normally see pics of Laos...

^^I was wondering what it was, seems to be just like here too, Bondo smeared all over ther car a foot thick and falling off the rust in chunks.

Great thread idea. Love the old cars.

I was in Laos last week and spotted the Datsun roadster being cdriven by a farang woman on the main road to Friendshi Bridge.

Lots of cool cars there!

Actually it's a much better original version and will kick the crap out of that piece of shite!! On it's worst day guaranteed!!

seen this in Laos,last December..

Great Pictures!!!

The first pic is a Citroen 2CV - conceived as an affordable car for the masses
Legend has it that the design of this car was sketched by The King when he visited the Citroen factory. He was in his early 20's back in the days when he was domicile in Switzerland and commuting to Paris to court the now Queen.

Wonderful idea.

interesting pictures mate. great idea.

Originally Posted by Khun Custard

Great Pictures!!!

The first pic is a Citroen 2CV - conceived as an affordable car for the masses
Legend has it that the design of this car was sketched by The King when he visited the Citroen factory. He was in his early 20's back in the days when he was domicile in Switzerland and commuting to Paris to court the now Queen.

Nothing but a legend though as the first prototypes were build in 1939.

Not a petrol head but liked them
Am planning a trip to Laos in dec.What sort of reception can i expect as regards Thai girl friend

Originally Posted by sunderlandstephen

What sort of reception can i expect as regards Thai girl friend

I don't think they'll hold a reception for you, just because you have a Thai girlfriend.

^^ Lao isn't Malaysia, she should fit right in with the locals.