• classic car
Ford Cortina XR6 is definitely a blast from the past — and this car’s no exception.
Johannesburg businessman Sharmm Naidoo bought the old-school car in Richards Bay last year.
He said his 1983 XR6 was restored to it’s former glory by a pervious owner.
Naidoo, 40, grew up in Pietermaritzburg and moved to Johannesburg in 1984. He lives in Kempton Park, owns a tools and safety equipment company, and is married to Avril, 37. They have two children Thunesh, 14, and Kimeshni, 12.
At the age of 16, Naidoo’s petrolhead genes came to life.
“My interest in cars began when I learnt to drive my dad’s Chrysler Valiant.
“Driving gave me a sense of freedom — I could go anywhere. But of course, I had to answer to my dad [Bobby] first.
“I envied some of the boys who drove Ford Cortina XLEs and Ford 30s to school. I’ve always wanted to own one,” he said.
Naidoo’s first car was a 1967 VW Beetle — which his parents bought for him. He traded it in for a 1982 Ford Cortina XR6.
“I had an accident in the Cortina and then bought a 1970 Ford Capri. Soon after, I bought a Jetta Wolfsburg Edition, and then a VW Beetle.
“The list goes on. I have driven many cars, but I love Ford.
“Over the years, I have always stayed true to them. I’ve owned a 1972 Ford Fairlane and a Ford Escort Sport. They are amazing cars.”
Naidoo said he chose the XR6 because of his passion for “old-school Fords”.
“My baby is red and black and packs a 3-litre V6 engine punch.”
He added a K&N cone filter, branches, a freeflow exhaust system and a 50mm sport suspension drop to butch up the performance.
For aesthetics, he bolted on a set of Rezax 17-inch rims and reupholstered the seats in black genuine leather.
The sound system boasts an Alpine head unit with a USB port mated to Pioneer speakers.
So how does this XR6 perform? Naidoo said he has yet to reach top-end. He has only gone as far as 140km/h because “I respect it too much”.
“I wash my car once a week whether I use it or not. It gets polished twice a month and, for safe-keeping, it’s in storage.
“I entered it in the A’s Café Show in Boksburg, hosted by Team Xplicit and I won the overall prize for best looks and cleanliness.
“I also entered a car competition at Teazers Boksburg, again hosted by Team Xplicit, and I won.”
Naidoo also owns a 2012 VW Golf 6 GTI, a 2010 BMW 323i E90 and a 2008 Corsa Utility bakkie.