ABHIKASH Nath, a bank officer with ANZ bank, drives a Generation 7 Toyota Celica, one of the distinct sports cars in the country today.
Mr Nath’s Celica has a 2ZZ-GE engine (a 1.8l version) which uses an MFI fuel injection. The Celica has a variable valve timing and lift intelligent system (VVTL-1) that features a forged steel connecting rod.
“The 2ZZ-GE engine was the first production engine to combine cam-phasing variable valve timing with a dual – profile variable timing in the American market,” Mr Nath said.
“It is a street legal car and it hasn’t been driven on the tracks yet as engine upgrades will be done soon with a six-speed manual gear box.
“I haven’t tested the maximum speed of my Celica however it can do a good time once the six-speed manual gearbox is installed.”
He said his dream car is a Toyota Volta.
“I used to admire sports cars when I was a child and it started from a toy car. As I grew up the dream of owning a beautiful sports car grew with me. I completed my studies and worked towards achieving my dream car and now I own one which everyone admires,” he said.
“The passion of cars was always there for me, but maintaining it has been a never ending journey. I bought this car two years ago”
He said it has cost him a lot to upgrade his car and he started working on it for the past year.
“I’m a bank officer and I have no idea about mechanical works. Working on my car was a challenge however I have upgraded it all by myself. With You Tube being my guide and seeing the videos several times before I performed the task was important for me,” she said.
“I have no idea on which number spanner will fit in the different bolts and nuts but I always keep on trying until I achieve the result I want. My wife calls me a one man army and she says that 2PLAY (car registration) is my first wife.” He planned to work on his engine and gearbox when asked about future modification plans to his car. “I’m planning to upgrade to a six-speed manual gearbox and I would need an expert to help me which is my friend Sandip Singh,” he said.
“My advice to car enthusiasts is to never give up on your dreams. If someone like me who doesn’t have any knowledge on mechanical works can own a sports car, so can you if you’re willing to.
“Your dream car won’t just come to you so easily you have to work hard in order to get it. Modifications are really worth it if done correctly and it can be a disaster if done wrongly, so make sure to do the right modifications to your car.”
