SINGAPORE - The flaming purple 1961 Cadillac sticking out of the Hard Rock Cafe Singapore was taken down on Monday (May 16), as one of Singapore's most iconic culinary destinations is closed for renovations until August.
The keys of the car will be handed to a winning customer who took part in the cafe's 25th anniversary charity draw, where members of the public donated $25 to charity for the chance to win the iconic Cadillac (with no engine).
All proceeds from the draw will go to the Melrose Home, a Children's Aid Society.
While the 1.2-tonne semi-vehicle will be missed at Cuscaden Road for the time being, here are some other unusual and unique fixtures seen around Singapore.
1. Walter the bunny
In 2010, local artist Dawn Ng's giant inflatable bunny, Walter, appeared in different places across the island as she wanted to create an appreciation for familiar things such as coffee shops.
This image was part of a moving art installation-cum-photo documentary, and also served as Ms Ng's reaction to people complaining that Singapore is boring.
When it was exhibited at the Singapore Art Museum, Ms Ng built a dreamy nature-like playground installation to engage young visitors with her art.
2. Bronzed market goers
The two bronze statues, which stand in front of Kovan Residences along Upper Serangoon Road, serves as a reminder of the former Simon Road Market. A scene is depicted of a lady customer bargaining for some poultry.
The popular market was built in August 1948 at the nearby Lim Ah Pin Road, before moving to where the sculptures stand today.
It would later become a food haven, serving local favourites like hokkien mee and mee rebus. But it was demolished in 1999, with these statues serving as a reminder of its sumptuous heyday.
3. Dragon playground
The dragon-shaped, sand-based playground was once a common sight and favourite hangout for children in Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh.
Mr Khor Ean Ghee designed the iconic creature when he was an interior designer with the Housing Board from 1969 to 1984. He also designed other familiar landmarks such as the pelican playground in Dover Road.
The dragon playground at Toa Payoh Lorong 6 has been there since 1979, making it one of Singapore's oldest playgrounds. It was picked by New York culture blog Flavorwire.com as one of 15 amazing playgrounds in the world in 2012.
4. Love at the mall
Many a Singaporean couple will remember walking by the "Love" sculpture that used to be situated just outside the Glass House at Park Mall.
Made of polychrome aluminium, the blue-green beauty with a tilted 'O' was created by American pop artist Robert Indiana and unveiled in 1993.
The piece was commissioned by property developers Wing Tai Land for the mall in Penang Road at a reported cost of US$230,000 (S$315,000). There are many versions of the sculpture around the world.
5. Gilded Golden Mile
Golden Mile complex is known for its wide variety of Thai grocery stores, food stalls and discos. But on the outside, it is an architectural sight to behold.
Designed by Design Partnership (now known as DP Architects) and completed in 1973, the development along Beach Road blended high-density construction with use diversity.
Its current "little Thailand" image masks the avant-garde ideas behind the design at the time of its construction, such as the linear podium and the stepped terraces of the residential apartments that allowed natural ventilation.
6. Gain City flier
Motorists driving along Serangoon North will be excused for casting second - or even third - glances at the oddity sticking out of what otherwise looks like a nondescript building.
It is not a bird, or a plane, but a Gain City van, apparently flying out of the local electronics giant's showroom at Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2.
