Friendship is the key to a good marriage
THE VW Beetle has always been a very saleable vehicle and its reputation for reliability has secured it a place in automotive history.
Apart from its obvious merits, the car’s detachable body shell has given rise to multiple permutations of recreational and utility builds such as the Beach Buggy, Badger Jeep-style and even some mock Porsches.
Modern street car culture may have been at least partly spawned by this incredible little car.
Motor spares business owner Rodger Dawson is a 39-year-old Malvern resident and the owner of this week’s featured ride, a “bagged”1969 VW Beetle 1500, which incidentally is also the first car he bought 17 years ago.
The car earned him first place in the classic car category at the Durban Motor Show a while ago. Dawson’s business, Marian Motor Spares, is one of the few spares outlets in Durban that still stocks replacement parts and service items for the air-cooled bugs.
His awesome Beetle has a traditional 1500 single-port motor enhanced by a Weber twin-barrel carburettor, Bosch 009 electronic distributor, Velocity stacks and a custom exhaust system.
The pièce de résistance on Dawson’s Beetle has to be the self-installed customised Viair air suspension system with Firestone bags. This is one of the first VW Beetles I have come across with a bagged suspension.
This is apparently due to the lack of availability of a standard installation kit for the old Beetles. The VW’S lowered stance is further enhanced by a set of BBS 17-inch mag wheels riding on 205/40/17 rubbers.
The interior has recovered Golf II seats, a Momo steering wheel and a trio of air suspension and performance related gauges.
Acoustically, the car rocks with a Calibra speaker ensemble mated to a 1 200W Blaster amplifier and an Alpine front loader.
It was not disclosed how much money was spent on this car. SERVICE PROVIDER: Marian Motor Spares MIKA Kissoondut, 23, an air freight controller, and Avinash Heeraman, 29, a sea freight import controller, both at Pen Freight and from umhlanga, married at the Durban Exhibition Centre in December. HOW WE MET
We met through a friend in the business. He has always played soccer and I’m a former SA Volleyball player. Our first date was going to an international soccer game at Moses Mabhida Stadium. We soon realised we wanted to be together forever. THE PROPOSAL & WEDDING
A romantic, Avinash planned a beautiful outing at Stone Haven Castle. Inside, I was surprised to see our pictures on the walls. He went down on one knee, with a beautiful diamond ring in hand and a big smile.
As the eldest children in our families, our wedding had to be extravagant. Four days of events were filled with colour and joy. About 400 guests attended from around the world. WEDDING BLACK BOOK Bride’s outfit: Pawan & Pranav Haute Couture, Mumbai. Telon, Mumbai. Matthew Henning. James Peters. KP Set Designs. Bhagwans. The Baking Room. Fairmont Zimbali.
Groom’s outfit: Photography: Videography: Decor: Catering: Cake: Pro Shoot Venue:
BIGGEST CHALLENGE
We travelled to India three months beforehand to secure our wedding outfits, cards and other things. This had to be done in 10 hot, long and stressful days. It was our first trip to India and we worked well together to meet our goals. VIEWS ON LOVE & MARRIAGE
We are best friends, and friendship is the key to a good marriage. We are surrounded by family and friends who’ve had long, loving marriages, and their support encourages us to love one another. We were quick to learn the value of showing appreciation for your partner. Life can be hard, but having someone on your side cheering you on is the greatest blessing you can have.