Remember the Datsun we featured a while back, the guy behind the Datsun has added another rare classic
to his C.V., a Toyota Celica GT.Though I should mention that he no longer owns the Datsun.
He since moved to an exclusive little attraction magnet, if you are a model, you would turn green with envy at the eyes this car will have on it, the Datsun was in all respects a hot car, but it's impossible to think that this is a notch, if not a couple, above the Datsun.
Originally, the Celica sported a bright banana yellow paint-job, he since changed it to what he's calling Athenian white with a flawless gloss finish, the yellow is still there in the engine bay which makes a stark contrast to the white exterior.
A small car on steroids, it looks and sounds aggressive again with the help of a free-flow exhaust and minimal mods to the engine. 'I'm tryIng to avoid the boy racer image by keeping the car original'. The only modifications I noticed on the car where the mesh grille, the pipe and the rear red indicators, originally those are supposed to be orange and of course, those rims and tyres.
It's a rear wheel drive powered by a Toyota twin cam engine, he says the only thing he needs now is a turbocharger, some sport springs the steering needs a bit of tweaking to get to respond the way he wants it to. He apparently entered a circuit race held at Donny Brook on the 1st of July. In this race he discovered just what the car needs to reach his ideal standards of performing. He says if they had been drags he would have won, 'but because my suspension isn't fit for the track, I didn't have a chance against the beasts I was up against.'
Unfortunately I got there late, the participants were putting their cars on trailers getting ready to leave. I took a few pics with a bad taste in my mouth, because I really wanted to witness some of the machines I captured in action. Anyway they should be having another one soon, hopefully I won't miss it second time around.
'I enjoyed myself, I really did, though I pulled out of the race early because I didn't want to swap paint, besides the other guys meant business. One thing you did is miss out'. Talk about rubbing it in, but to make up for the action that Fatso insisted I missed, he offered me a ride out of Donny Brook, boy this is one thrilling little car, drifting around corners and letting the rear slide to the amusement of drivers behind us, while I hung on with my head being jerked back as it thrust into the future.
Much respect to you Fatso, for not following trends and not being afraid to pursue what matters to you, just the energy and let alone the money that goes in trying to restore a classic, ' I just want to keep it simple, a car that I can drive everyday and at the same time take it to the track once in a while'.
9/7/2012
Let’s assume a car could be likened to a dog, you can tell how well a dog is fed and taken care of by its appearance. The same goes for a car; some cars you’ll wince at and think to yourself, the owner has other things to handle with care apart from his car. And then you have those cars that look so good and polished you’d wonder if the driver’s companion or partner gets just as much attention.
Farai Mateura is one good example of an owner and driver who cares about his ride. This guy has done more than keep his Datsun 140Y in good condition; he has poured his heart, character and individuality into it.
I feel I should also make mention of the fact that Fatso, as he likes to go by, has the privilege of being the first Zimbabwean to have his car featured in THE JUICE.
Representing the juice, was the Masked Avenger who managed to interview Fatso about his car, this is what went down.
Masked Avenger: How long have you had this car?
Fatso: Well, we’ve had the car since I was in nursery. It was my father’s actually; he gave it to me when I finished high school. It was literally sitting at home with no wheels, bad paint and a boring interior. I started working on it ever since. I’ve got a history with this car.
Can you take me through the process of transforming the car, getting it to look and perform the way wanted it to.
I replaced the dead engine with a standard 1400, added new rings for the pistons and a free flowing exhaust which improved the power and sound. (It growls by the way!)
I repainted it white, and finished it off with black racing stripes that run from the bonnet, along the roof and end at the rear. I bought a set of Pro Whites rims, but they didn’t look good on the car so I ditched those for the ones that are on now. Originally, they were all-silver alloys so I spray-painted the spokes black and left the lip as it was. The tyres that I got for the rims were narrow, so I fit tubes in them to get the mag-wheel look.
Then I added accessories like blue LEDs sitting on the bumper, rectangular fog lights in the grille, stainless steel double tailpipe and a pair of chrome tear-drop rear mirrors with indicators. Personalized chrome letters for the right fender and some in the rear; and the reflective strip that runs along the side of the car.
Which is a nice touch! I couldn’t help noticing the interior, it looks great.
I ripped out the old seat covers and door panels and got a close friend of mine to sew new ones using black and white material including the roof padding that has a stripe running along it. I also had the top of the dashboard covered with the black and white theme which spills into the speedometer and surrounding dials and a black and chrome gear knob. Oh, the Type R seat covers won’t be there for long.
A guy passes by where Fatso had parked his Datsun and asks if the car is for sale, I look at Fatso and he shakes his head to say no. Then I ask him the future of the car.
I’m still working on it, I’m not even thinking of selling it. This car is my creativity and I drive it every day and enjoy doing so. Besides, the attention that it garners is amazing, it surprises me sometimes. I’ve had a guy follow me in his Benz, asked me to pull over and offered me three and half grand for it, said he wanted to buy it for his son, but I turned him down. That’s how much it means to me. It’s still a work in progress. I’ll probably pass it down to my son.
So are you going to add anything else to it, or you are happy with the way it is?
I don’t have a radio yet, but I am getting one soon. I’m going to replace the 1400 engine with a turbo-powered 1800. I want a Nissan March gear box, because the one that’s there is 4-speed. The exhaust system is going to be split into two so I have two double tailpipes sticking out the back. I’m also thinking about adding front and rear spoilers and I think that’ll be it.
Fatso took me for a ride back to my place and what a ride it was. The performance is unexpected especially when it’s taking off. The little engine works hard, its bark is as good as its bite. And yes, the attention it gets is monumental. I think chicks would love to be in this car because of the number of eyes that’ll be focused on it. Just look at it, it looks charming, furious and fast. Fatso says at one point mature women tossed compliments at it.
It’s hard to come across a Datsun 140Y in a condition as crisp as this. Grand Dad would flash a wide grin.
13/7/11
THE SPINFEST
Talk about first time for everything, it was my first time attending an event of this kind and my first time documenting it. Spinfest was an event that was organised by T.I.C.R. Entertainment whereby drivers pushed their cars to the limit, drifting, executing burnouts and doughnuts until the rear tyres blew out all being done in a space demarcated by used tyres that was approximately ten metres by fifteen metres.
I was surprised by the size of the crowd that turned out, a colourful one at that, turned out to witness the event. All ages including toddlers were testimony of how large a following this culture has.Beautiful ladies too, my oh my! Beautiful ladies!
The drivers would go in individually for practice runs before the event kicked off. The outstanding car at this event was the E30 BMW also known as the 'Gusheshe'. My appreciation for the car just doubled, rear wheel drive, light, street looks that appeal to both old and young enthusiasts. High revs, tyre smoke, adrenaline,witnessing the car respond to the driver's skills as it did 360 degrees around the square was crazy to watch. And when one of the tyres blew the crowd would go wild.
Fat Cat a member of the T.I.C.R. who happened to be the guy who put the event together was also taking part. Pulling doughnuts with no hands on the steering wheel and working the crowd with some hand gestures while smoking his rubber. There were drivers that were on a level of their own like South african guest of honour Feros aka Fezo Magic with the white E30 got out of the car, got on top of it and opened the bonnet while the tyres were smoking. After, he was drifting in and around three guys running the risk of hurting someone. One word; Precision!
The other driver Vevelicious got the car to do doughnuts, while it was doing so, he got out the car and danced around it and worked the crowd. After that he got back in the car and proceeded with his routine.There were other cars that entered the ring like an Altezza that whipped its tail to do a 360 doughnut while a female passenger rode shotgun. Mr YEAH with an M5, also a member of T.I.C.R., was also looking to leave his signature on the tarmac, amazing sounds came out of the engine but, I felt this car needed a larger area because its awesome power made it impossible for the driver to do some serious damage.
An old school Supra also tore the tar up, it had a bumper sticker that read; 'Drive it like its stolen'. He also pulled a 360 degree drift while his girl was in the car.COOL!
There were some individuals that had some beautiful cars to show the public, there were four Subarus, drop top 325i BMW, a red Chevy and some extremely sexy motorcycles including a neon green Ninja Kawasaki.
A DJ kept heads nodding and providing beats for B-Boy crews present to battle, talk about breaking the monotony. MC Chita was the host and did a great job to keep the crowd interested and entertained. Smokey one driver who took part in the event took me for not one but two rides in his Smoke Machine. Man the ride was amazing. The crowd revolved around the car in a blur, and you won't know where the car is until the driver slows down the drift just to start another. Adrenaline Rush!
Smokey hopes that the Gusheshe spin culture gets exposure and grows. I had a great day and I'm sure the people that attended will say the same.
In honour of all the drivers that took part, WE SAY BIG UPS TO:
Feros (S.A)
Fat Cat
Wrinkles
Goofa
Vevelicious
Sleeky
Munz 1
Smokey
Fanis
