“I grew up in Daggakraal near Volksrust where wire cars were our favourite toys to play with as we spent most of our time outdoors. There was this guy who could make whichever car you wanted – BMW, Toyota, and more, from wire with snuff tins for wheels. These kept us busy for hours every day.”
“I had two uncles – one owned a 1982 Chevrolet 4.1, the other a Ford Cortina Big Six. Big engines were my thing from a young age and I have a particular fondness for dark blue. So my first car was a wire made Datsun 1400 bakkie.”
“I came from Volksrust to Mbombela in 1996 where I, after completion of my studies at Pretoria Technikon, started to work in the public transport environment.
My first real car was a 2004 Toyota Corolla, which I still have and will probably never sell. It’s a head-turner because I keep my hand on it. Toyotas are good cars – full stop.
Then I bought a VW Passat – a point A to B vehicle with a diesel engine. However, my need to own a big V8 grew stronger throughout the four years I drove the Passat.”
“In 2016 I found this fourth-generation 1994 Camaro Z28 5.7-litre V8 and fell in love. This engine produces 205kW and 440Nm. I phoned the owner, flew to Port Elizabeth, paid him, and drove the car back to Mbombela.
So I am only the third owner and I bought the car for a very reasonable price considering its stature and generation. It was the first time I drove a left-hand drive so there were lots of things to familiarise myself with. I had no idea of fuel consumption so at times, I drove slowly because the fuel levels dropped and I had no idea as to how far I could still go with whatever was left in the tank. It was kind of scary when I think back.”
Timothy prefers a car to be as close to the original as possible. The Camaro’s manifold, however, developed a crack so when repairing it, he decided to fit a branch and a complete stainless steel exhaust system. He now owns a VW Caravelle, the Corolla and Camaro.
On his bucket list is the 2020 Camaro. “Driving the Camaro makes me feel alive – like a celebrity. I love the power and adrenalin it creates when one steps on the accelerator.
It is a beautiful and comfortable car despite its small boot. It also draws a lot of attention and although it is not my intention, it is what it is.”
“I am quite happy to keep this car – as in forever,” he says. “I love cricket and soccer despite being of the opinion that I grew up in the wrong time and wrong place and could not really participate in these sports. For now, my public transport portfolio keeps me quite busy. There are many challenges in this environment and it is important for me to make a difference by improving the current availability of public transport to ensure safe and convenient transport for all South Africans,” concluded Timothy.
