Depending on the light, Rakesh Brijlall Gobardhan’s 1977 Mazda Capella RX2, 2-door coupe is known to display various hues of orange for those who look at it.
But there was no divided opinion on the car’s all-round appeal when it went on display at the prestigious Rotor Motor Fest on November 19, which drew hundreds of entries from around the country.
The Mazda scooped the overall honours in the “Show and Shine” category, which surprised Gobardhan.
What got Gobardhan especially revved-up about the win was the time, money and dedication it took to effect the car’s metamorphosis from being ragged and run-down to a real show-stopper.
He bought the vehicle in 2007 and through the diligent efforts of the artisans who worked on the interior and exterior, and Gobardhan on its engine, more than eight years later, the Capella emerged as a supercar.
The Capella has landed numerous awards from its appearance at various motor shows over the years.
He spared no expense when it came to the paint finish on his beauty, with it giving off different shades at different times of the day.
Friends and other car enthusiasts suggested to Gobardhan, of Clare Estate, Durban, to have a go at the Fest, which was a competition only for vehicles with rotary engines.
He decided to enter and made the long trek to the competition venue at the Red Star Raceway, in Delmas, Mpumalanga.
“I didn't expect to win, I went only for the experience,” he said.
Gobardhan said after the judging was done, he was readying himself for the nine-hour drive back home, when some of those around him urged him to stay a bit longer.
“When the announcer shouted my name as the winner, we jumped for joy!
“The car being declared the best at the show was a bloody proud moment,” he said.
Gobardhan said lots of people were attracted to the car and loved what they saw, and one admirer offered him R1.5 million for the car.
“I turned it down. The time and money I spent on it was far greater. Anyhow, my children don't want me to sell either,” he said.
Gobardhan said the car speaks for itself, you’ve got to see it to understand it.
The interior has custom-made tartan and tan seats, which resemble the colours of an EET-SUM-MOR box of biscuits.
“When you start it, you don't hear a piston or cylinder heads, just two rotors spinning and we just dump fuel to keep it moving.”
He said It takes special fuel which includes mixes of methanol and ethanol with petrol and 2-stroke oil. The oil lubricates the seals and preserves the engine.
When the 490 kilowatt engine is tuned to perfection, Gobardhan said the car could easily clear a quarter-mile sprint between nine to 10 seconds.
“There is no need for speed these days, we usually carry people to functions like parties, proms and weddings,” he said.
Gobardhan, who has owned a motor-mechanics business for 20 years, also has an equally eye-catching 1976 army-brown Mazda Capella parked in his garage.
Through the influence of his uncles, Gobardhan has always been passionate about Capellas and waited patiently for his opportunity to own one, now he has two for the joy of it.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE