ALLEPPEY: Kids editions of leading vehicles are also in demand. Every vehicle like Jaguar, Porsche car, Royal Enfield etc is manufactured in one workshop. It's owner and intellectual center are all one. Rakesh Babu, a thirty-year-old mechanic at Autocast, Cherthala Kalavamkodam. A one-year sabbatical has been taken by Rakesh for the production of vintage vehicles.

Designed to seat two adults, some vehicles can be completed within a month. Some may take up to five months. It all depends on the model and size. Most of the models are made as toys because they are legally prohibited from being driven on the road. Full-size models without engines are also in demand to add luxury to the interiors. One model can cost up to Rs.1 lakh. They are all do-it-yourself construction using GI sheets and pipes. Electric vehicles will have facilities including accelerator, brake and steering.

Own bike as first project

Rakesh made his debut in vehicle manufacturing by transforming his own Suzuki Fiero bike into a sports bike. Later, a Jeep was made using the engine of a two-wheeler. The works were done in his father Suresh's welding workshop. After the videos of the construction stages were published on the Instagram page 'Sudus Custom' and on YouTube, the orders started coming in. About 25 models have already been produced. Cars that can be driven by children are in high demand.

Featured in Movie

All the mini vintage vehicles that appear in the Promo song sung by the kids in Basil Joseph's movie Palthu Janwar, are made by Rakeshbabu. He is currently busy making vehicles for a Malayalam 3D film that will start shooting soon. His family consists of his father Suresh, mother Indu, his wife Megha, a teacher at Pattanakkad Public School, and his daughter Anvi.