Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
MAN AND MACHINE
Besotted with Carina
PRINCE FREDERICK
|
Sundaram refuses to dump Carina for any attractive new model
|
LOYAL TO CARINA Age has not withered this 1978 Toyota Carina's charm; Sundaram still adores this car
When posted as counsellor at the Indian Mission to the European Union in Brussels, G. Sundaram bought a 1978 Toyota Carina. In 1981, he spent Rs. 52,000 as duty to bring his Carina to India. Having barely set foot on Indian soil, he turned down someone who offered Rs. 5 lakh for the car. Now, people ask him if they could have the Carina for Rs. 15,000. His answer is still ‘No!’
Despite attractive new models hitting the road, Sundaram has stayed with his Carina all these years. “This has been my only car,” says the former IAS officer. The car has only an air-cooler, but that’s alright with him. Even non-availability of spares has not forced him to part with the Carina.
Sundaram takes his car to the Lanson Toyota service centre for maintenance and repairs. As it is a first-generation (1970-1978) Carina, getting replacements is sometimes difficult. When acquiring brake lining for this car proved impossible, he almost decided to dump Carina. In the nick of time, the Lanson Toyota team came up with an innovation, which worked. “Brake lining meant for the Toyota Qualis proved a perfect replacement!”
This has been the first and only major problem in thirty years. Five years ago, Sundaram wrote a letter to the Toyota Company, explaining how wonderful his Carina is.
The Japanese company exported Carina to Europe and America, modifying the car in ways that met local requirements. While a car made for England would have been apt for Indian driving conditions, Sundram does not mind his car’s left-hand drive format. “I have got used to it.” The gentle hum of the engine explains why Sundaram has not plumped for any other car.
From 1970 to 2000, the Carina underwent changes in styling and from the mid-1980s took on different names such as Celica, but its 1588cc, four-cylinder, ohv engine was a constant.
Among the first-generation Carina models, Sundaram’s car belongs to the one that received a spruced-up interior. Even by today’s standards, this car’s interior can be described as ‘attractive’ and ‘comfortable’.
Reasons for Sundaram’s long relationship with Carina.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
