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Small wonder

For buying this unique model of car, one does not have to loosen the purse strings too much, says K.N. Murali Sankar

MOTORING IN STYLE Markandayulu and his pride possession

Creativity, hard work and a challenging instinct inspired a carpenter to design a mini car. He isn't an alumnus of a premier institute or a centre for excellence. For that matter, he never walked through the portals of any college, leave alone pursuing a professional course. Proving the world wrong in its general belief that only those who mug up voluminous textbooks of fluid mechanics or design engineering in prestigious institutions can develop the creative zeal to design new model vehicles, Vissakoti Markandeyulu, a school dropout, has manufactured a mini car. Yes, a car.

Forty-three-year old Markandeyulu gave a definite shape to his childhood dream by spending seven hours a day for three months. He also had to shell out Rs. 75,000 to realise his dream project. The result: a tiny pink colour car, which has become cynosure of all eyes in the city.

Four persons can travel in the car, which moves at a speed of 40 km per hour. The 150 cc engine fitted in the car is the one used in a Bajaj `Saffire' motorcycle, while the brakes are the ones used in an Ambassador car. The MRF-manufactured tyres meant for auto-rickshaws have been used in the mini car.

Local make

The seven-foot long and 4.5-foot wide vehicle weighs 300 kg and it has a steering wheel, an accelerator and brakes. For him, changing gears is a passé. So, it's easy to drive. This vehicle runs on petrol and gives a mileage of 40 km per litre.

"I have designed this car by using the material available locally. I did everything from drawing a design to fabricating the chassis to painting the body," says a brimming Markandeyulu, who has his name engraved on the bonnet of the vehicle.

He, however, is yet to consult officials of the Road Transport Authority to know the procedure of registering this small wonder.

What prompted him to design a car and from where had he drawn inspiration to fulfil his dream? Born in a poverty-ridden family in Racharla village near Tadepalligudem, Markandeyulu was forced to migrate to the city, as he lost his father in his childhood.

Being the youngest among eight siblings, he went to work with a lorry mechanic only to help his brothers at a tender age of 15.

Long-cherished dream

After learning carpentry and tinkering in the shed for 12 years, he set up his own garage in Autonagar industrial area in 1990. While learning the work, Markandeyulu dreamt of designing a vehicle, but due to financial constraints he could not pursue the project.

"A newspaper article rekindled the desire to chase my long-cherished dream," he recalls. The article was about Ratan Tata, who revealed his plans to make a car for Rs. 1 lakh and bring it within the reach of the middle class.

Markandeyulu began the work in February this year and completed it by April. When his car first hit the Autonagar roads last week, people followed it and lauded his skills. Some people requested him to make a similar for them but he declined the offer as he has other plans.

"This model can be useful to big companies like Tata or Mahindra who can sell the vehicle with a smaller price tag - say for Rs. 50,000 or so.

It will be beneficial to more people," he tries to reason out. He also has plans to work on two new models, similar to the vintage cars used for marriage processions in Hyderabad.

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