WILD AT HEART
KEOLA CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COMPANY DIRECTOR SANJESH LAL DRIVES A FORD F-150
What are you driving?
A black 2016 5.0L Ford F-150 with a Coyote V8 engine. This is the same engine as the new Mustangs. I love black; several of my previous cars were black. I got this truck imported from the US as a lefthand drive. It had to be painstakingly converted to righthand drive with a lot of compliance hoops to jump over. It’s got a ton of upgrades by Black Hawk —
6-inch suspension lift kit with performance shocks riding on
35-inch tyres, sports exhaust, intake systems, personalised embroidery etc.
What do you like about it?
I’ve loved big trucks since I was a kid watching shiny Mack trucks . . . this isn’t as big, but a good compromise. I fell in love with the aggressive look and I wanted to go off-roading without breaking anything.
How does it drive?
It drives great and sounds even better. Sometimes I keep the windows down and sunroof open just to hear the sweet sound of the V8 roar. The tyres are more offroad, so it tends to be a bit slippery on sealed roads when it’s wet, but you get used to it. And I’m in construction, so it’s perfect. Sometimes I take my sons to christen new sites by doing doughnuts (shh, only at night or weekends when no one’s watching). My older son drives now, so I can also watch him digging mud. Bad parenting.
Who else drives it?
My son does sometimes, when his car’s broken down or pretty much any other opportunity. I’ve tried to coerce my wife . . . unsuccessfully.
How does it suit your personality?
I don’t have to baby it, I can throw in whatever I want and still have space for more. We’ve done a couple of rescue missions pulling out stuck cars.
And your lifestyle?
It’s great for family getaways. Bikes, skateboards, everything and the kitchen sink fits. Also, it’s 2m wide, so I can easily take a nap on the back seat when I arrive at the gym but don’t want to go in.
How often do you clean it?
Almost never during winter.
Any other vehicles in your garage?
My wife has a BMW X1; I drive it when we need to go into town to a parking building.
What do you always keep in your Ford?
Umbrella, safety boots, hi-vis vest, tow rope, my trusty tool box and, now, reusable shopping bags.
Your dream car?
Hands down the Shelby Cobra 427 is on top of my list. I’ve even got personalised plates ready and waiting for the day.
Who taught you drive?
My dad in a 1971 Datsun 1600, I was about 12 and sat on two cushions to see the road. It had a three-speed steering column shift and you had to feel the gears slotting in. I drove in first gear for two full days before I was allowed to shift to second.
What was your first car?
I bought a 1981 two-door Toyota Corolla Station wagon for $700 during my uni days. We classed it as a sports car because it was a two-door. I loved that car. Once, we squeezed in 11 mates and went for a drive in the city. The back wheel burst at an intersection on about our fourth run up and down Queen St. It was quite a scene to see 11 people clambering out whilst watching the traffic angrily backing up.
Most memorable road trip in your F-150?
Leadfoot Festival in Hahei, great weekend out, lots of wonderful machinery and then doing the Cathedral Cove walk. What a beautiful piece of New Zealand.
Do you have a favourite movie car scene?
The BMW E38 chase scene from The Transporter.
Auckland’s traffic: your take on it?
My travel is mostly off-peak so it doesn’t bother me. The announcement of the 10-year $10 billion transport infrastructure is a welcome relief.