Four in One: An Unconventional Request

At Scooter99, some of the most interesting projects begin with curiosity. Sometimes a customer is inspired by the things we’ve made and wonders “Can we make this?” or sometimes we at scooter are inspired by something we saw and think the same. 

A customer from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, first reached out to Scooter99 through our website. He was a doctor and a Vespa GTS 300 owner, looking to create something special for his young child. What started as a conversation about a custom sidecar would eventually

become something far more unconventional: a four-wheel sidecar built around a Vespa GTS 300.

But before the four wheels came into the picture, there was already a story behind the first sidecar.

Something Made for His Child

                       

The customer's initial request was quite simple. He wanted a sidecar that his child could enjoy while going for rides.

But even with a relatively straightforward request, the details mattered.

He didn't want the sidecar to feel closed off. Instead, he wanted his child to be able to feel the wind and experience the ride. That meant reconsidering some of the usual elements we might put on a sidecar, including the windshield.

Then came additional details that came with the production of the sidecar. Headlights, Fenders, Proportions. We made sure that they all seamlessly blend together to form a cohesive sidecar that the child can enjoy. 

Then Came the Unusual Request

After the first project, the customer returned with another idea. He had come across an older Scooter99  concept on YouTube. He captured the image, zoomed in on the details and sent it back to us. It was an earlier concept we made.

A sidecar with four wheels and a steering wheel attached to it. No engine, no suspension, just a concept we made. He was hooked. He wanted it optimized for his son. 

We considered accessibility. A side entry could make it easier for someone to get into the vehicle without having to climb over the side. While this particular build was intended for a child, the same thinking could make a future version easier for children, senior citizens or anyone who might have difficulty getting into a conventional sidecar.

There Is No “Too Unconventional”

At Scooter99, we have built many different kinds of sidecars. Some are practical. Some are designed around accessibility. Some are made for events. And some begin with an idea that might sound strange when you first hear it.

But we don't believe that an unusual request should immediately become a limitation.

A customer may come to us with a reference, a sketch, a photograph, or sometimes just an idea that is difficult to explain.

Our job is to listen.

Then we look at how it will be used, who will use it, what the limitations are and what needs to be changed to make the idea functional. Because custom work isn't about fitting every customer into the same design.

It's about designing around the customer.