Hello Kitty Car Things

I'm sure you are going to ask what does this little drawing of a cat
have to do with an automobile – well, lots… as a collector of Hello
Kitty merchandise, I've found many items to decorate my house, office,
and yes, even my car. But if that's not enough, there is even a Hello
Kitty automobile as well as a scooter; and some fans have even gone
as far a pimpin' out their own automobiles to the likeness of Hello Kitty.

As a collector, I can say it's easy to become real addictive – there are
so many items available – in my car alone I have the steering wheel
cover – the air freshener – I have had made two vinyl window decals to
put on my rear side windows – as a gift I received an airbrushed Hello
Kitty license plate to be installed on my car; and I've also purchased
the Mugan Hello Kitty ornament for the rear deck lid of my 1995 Acura
Integra.

Here are just a few photos of what some collectors are doing around
the world – and yes, Hello Kitty is not only for children – on the
contrary, Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani and Brittany Murphy are
just a few famous people who also collect Hello Kitty items.

Personalising what is dear to you is something that people in Japan
enjoy doing. One of the most famous characters is "Hello Kitty", a
small, pink and very cute cat, both liked by kids and adults. Japan is
unlike any other country, and whilst out-growing their youth, the
Japanese do not leave behind their joys and childhood passions.

In Japan, the car company Mira also built a Hello Kitty car.
Manufactured by Daihatsu Motors Japan, the Mira Hello Kitty car
comes in both 2WD and 4WD models in pink and white colors with
Hello Kitty logo on the hubcaps and body. The interior is also Hello
Kitty themed - from the fabrics to meter panel. The Daihatsu logo
on the grille is replaced by the Hello Kitty logo and even the car key
is shaped like Hello Kitty head!

And then, there's even a gentlemen who loved his wife so much, that
he painted his Ferarri Hello Kitty pink.

And then the airlines decided to get into the action with their version
of the Hello Kitty jet. Taiwan airline Eva Air teamed up with Sanrio to
bring this Hello Kitty Jet Plane. The Airbus 330-200 is painted
nose-to-tail with super-sized characters from the charming world of
Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty has been on the scene since November 1st, 1974 –
and Sanrio took the job of main distributor and owner back in 1976.
Sanrio made a few minor adjustments to Hello Kitty over the years
and in 1982 her outline disappeared and her eyes were re-aligned.
In 1983 Hello Kitty was named the child ambassador of UNICEF. In
1987 a black and white version was released by Sanrio, in order to
mainstream Hello Kitty to a more adult audience. Over the years, she
has made many people smile, and when asked why – there is no real
answer, Hello Kitty is an icon, cute and makes me smile.

The merchandise is varied and is available all over the world – and for
the automobile, the products range from seat covers to air fresheners,
seat belt shoulder pads and handbrake covers… the list goes
on forever…

Karen Eryou - LeTacot - 2007