Gone in 60seconds
A book-keeper by day, Ritesh is a Mustang demon by night
JOHANNESBURG junior book-keeper Ritesh Soma’s love for his 1965 Ford Mustang Coupé started the day he had his first drive ever on the way home from the hospital.
Sixteen years later, his uncle, Aniel Chaytoo, gave him the keys to the American beauty, a car that Soma, 20, cherishes “like gold”.
“I know a good thing when I see it and my first ride ever made a lasting impact on me, despite the fact that I was only a few days old.
“I grew up around classic cars. My uncle and grandfather used to collect them and I was alway in awe of their beauty.
“My uncle bought the Mustang from a farmer in Rustenburg 22 years ago and when he handed the car to me I was over the moon.
“I have had many fun adventures in my Mustang — most of them usually end up with the car running out of petrol. Thankfully, I get by on the car’s good looks, with admirers always keen to help me get to the nearest petrol station,” said Soma.
His black coupé surprisingly has no sound system, but it boasts 17-inch American racing rims — which he had to “empty out my piggy bank” to pay for.
The Ford Mustang’s sex appeal is what grabbed Soma’s attention — its sleek body, stunning looks, purring engine and an “out of this world” ride.
The interior of the car is stock standard and red in colour. The engine is a Ford 302 Windsor with racing camshafts, four-barrel Holley carburettors, a highrise intake, straight-pipe exhaust system and a fourspeed manual gearbox.
“Mustang fans recognise the car from the Hollywood film Gone in 60 Seconds. The car gets a lot of attention from young and old.
“My second car is a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé — I also love Mercedes- Benz. It is white with a red and black designer leather interior, and has a 6.2-litre V8 engine.
“But when it comes to the Mustang, it definitely gets my tender loving care — maintaining the car is my passion,” said Soma.