The Toyota Corolla AE92 is a car that reminds South Africans of some of their most cherished memories. Drives along the coast with the family. Meeting up with friends and racing the streets with the GLI Twincam variant.
Durban motoring fanatic Kowan Govender is no different.
After falling in love with his uncle Farook’s GLI Twincam way back when, Kowan Govender set out to find and build his dream AE92. And by the looks of things, he’s about done with it.
Over a decade ago, Kowan purchased a white 1994 Corolla 180i GSX. Since then, the Durbanite’ added his personal touch, from bumper to bumper.
The end result ? Well, Kowan’s officially classified it as a “show car”. But why don’t you have a look for yourself.
‘For Uncle Farook’
“It all started in 2008 when I bought the 180i, it’s a 94 model. It was white at the time and I paid R25,000 for it. Around 2009, the engine I damaged the engine so I put a blacktop 20 valve motor in it.
“I put a set of cams, a branch and we did the exhaust,” Kowan detailed.
Being a motoring hobbyist, Kowan stripped and reassembled the car on his own.
After roaming the streets in his newly swapped 20v AE92 for a while, Kowan thought of the next stage.
Given the cars age, and living in arguably the most humid climate, the Corolla was diagnosed with stage 2 rust.
Restoring a legend
Kowan sought the help of Jeselle Panel Beaters in Westcliff – Chatsworth. At the end of 2011 the car was blown over. The rust was cut out and new pieces were welded on because body filler was a big no-no.
The timeless Japanese lines were straightened before the AE92 could go into the paint booth.
“After the paint job, I did upgrades to the car as the years went on. I did the seats and other mall upgrades in the interior. I put a set of Razak wheels on the car and a coilover suspension kit. The tyres are 205/40/R17,” Kowan added.
Black and burgundy
A black and burgundy combo is the evident colour Kowan went for. From the front spoiler to the headlights and wheels, black details bring out the dark hue paint. The boot features a sound and mobile bar installation. Spirits on tap should he ‘pull up at a boot jol’.
A blacked out bonnet with a custom airbrush of a promiscuous woman inside a martini glass is on the passenger side. Chrome and burgundy tones fill the engine bay.
Kowan chose to go with a Burgundy tappet cover with chrome details on the edges and air intake. Spanning strut bars were chromed out as well.
“It was just a love for the car. One of my uncles had a GLI Twincam in the exact same colour. Ever since I saw his Twincam, I have loved the car. He passed away in 2015 but ended up painting the car the same colour as his,” Kowan recalled.
Plans for an air suspension are on the cards in the near future. Kowan may just turbo charged the 20v engine as well. But at this stage, dead set on the air.
“Other than the bags and the possible turbo charger, I want to keep it the way it is.”
AUTO RUSH
