Recently, I had a fascinating conversation with my two friends at a coffee shop. They were discussing the latest car models available in the local and international market.
Although I found their enthusiasm for cars inspiring, I couldn’t say that it was contagious.
If I were to share my own experiences, they might not believe that I’ve driven cars like Mercedes, BMW (3 and 7 series), Volvo, Saab, Fiat, Ford, Rover, Hyundai, Daewoo, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, and many of our local makes, most of which were not my own.
In 1979, I served as a lecturer at the then Rajang Teachers College (RTC) in Bintangor (now IPG Rajang).
After completing my tenure, I received an unexpected overpayment of RM3,000, which allowed me to purchase my first car, an old Ford Cortina 2.000 c.c.
I recalled a friend’s pale blue Ford Cortina 2.000 c.c., which I drove in 1975, bearing the plate number 7D 4.
Mine had an orange body and black rooftop, with the plate number 7D 5 (now 7D 5 Q).
Since then, I have owned many cars, including a brand new Datsun 120 Y, an old sporty Fiat, a second-hand Ford Laser (acquired in lieu of a gambling debt), a reconditioned Honda Ballade, a new Proton Saga Mega Valve (the first of any make with remote features in the rural town where I served), a 28-year-old Nissan Skyline, a Suzuki Esteem, a Daewoo Racer2, an old Nissan Pulsar Coupe, a Proton Iswara Aeroback, a Proton Wira, and currently, a Viva Elite, which I bought brand new 14 years ago.
In 1981 and 1982, I had the fortunate opportunity to drive a friend’s Volvo, bearing the number SB19XX, while visiting Sibu.
During my three-month stint in Kuala Belait (KB) in 1997, I drove a BMW 318 allocated to me by the company I was attached to.
On other occasions, I had the chance to drive a Range Rover for long-distance travel and a Toyota Prado belonging to a friend.
In early December that year, I started working at Brunei Press in Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) and stayed with a friend, Jambai, an Iban mechanic.
He had a repainted 1978 Nissan Skyline, which I drove from BSB to Kuching at least three times.
I also helped Jambai deliver repaired cars, including two Mercedes, a few BMWs (one was a seven series), a Kijang, a Rover, and various other Continental, Japanese, Korean, and Indian models (Tata). I parted ways with Jambai in 1999.
While in BSB, I owned three cars, a three-year-old Suzuki Esteem, the old Nissan Skyline, which I kept until the end, and a two-year-old Daewoo Racer2.
Additionally, my live-in partner (a Singaporean) and I rented a Saab for B$750 a month. For several months, my three cars were shared by my Filipino colleague and gang.
Unfortunately, two of my cars were involved in accidents, with the one I was driving in 1990, a Honda Ballade with concealed headlights and an open rooftop, resulting in the loss of my five-year-old daughter and my niece, who was nine years old.
The Daewoo Racer2 almost took my life in BSB in 2001 and cost me a B$2,000 bond with the police that remained unpaid until my last day in the sultanate in early 2002.
While in BSB, I had the opportunity to ride in the backseat of a friend’s Lexus, which could reach speeds of up to 180 km per hour on the good road between BSB and Tutong.
However, I am still content with my 14-year-old Viva Elite, which has served me well over the years.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
