POLOKWANE – Melvin Stevens, owner of MNR Autobody in Westenburg, loves cars and has a passion for creating a masterpiece from a vehicle that has been written off in an accident.
“To me no vehicle is a write-off, it just needs a little tender loving care, and it will be brand new again. Reconstructing the body of a vehicle that was in an accident and respraying each coat on the body, is more than just a job to me, its an art and I feel proud when a client is happy with a job well done,” Stevens said.
Not only does he restore damaged vehicles, he also has an eye for beautiful fast cars, and one of his collections is a Mercedes Benz A45 AMG Turbo.
Q: When did you buy this car?
A: I got my baby in March this year.
Q: Is this your first car?
A: No, my first car was an Opel Cub back in the 90s but this is my first Mercedes Benz. I am also a big Volkswagen fan, and I am the proud owner of one of each Golf 1 to 7, all still in good condition.
Q: Why do you love your Mercedes A45 AMG Turbo?
A: There are a million reasons why, but at the top of my list is the fact that it is the world’s fastest 2.0 vehicle and I love the sound it makes when I start the ignition and when I drive my beauty.
Q: What makes it stand out?
A: Apart from it being the fastest there is, there is no other sports car with this type of seats, which is red trim carbon-fibre. The dashboard is also very cool.
Q: Is there anything you would like to change on your vehicle?
A: Absolutely nothing. One should not tamper with perfection, because that is what the Mercedes A45 AMG limited edition is. It has everything a man could wish for.
Q: Have you driven any long distance trips with your car?
A: Yes, when I travelled to the Northern Cape and it’s performance was top of the range. I was definitely not disappointed and cannot wait for my next journey on the long road.
Q: Would you consider ever selling it?
A: Yes, but only if there is an upgraded version of the one I have.
Q: Would you allow another person to drive it?
A: Yes, my wife and a friend with a valid driver’s licence.
Q: What do you think of other drivers on Mzansi roads?
A: To tell the truth, they are not that bad, but I do plead with motorists to please be more patient with bikers. Being a biker myself, it is important that we all respect one another to avoid accidents and fatalities on our roads, especially during the festive season.
