‘I hire out my car at Shs2m per day’

Farooqi opens his vintage car. He likes restoring old vehicles. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

What you need to know:

Peji Farooqi is a car mechanic in Kibuli whose car, one of the rarest types in Uganda, a Citroen Light 15 1937.
Roland Nassasira interviewed him.

How have you been able to maintain your car?
It has not been difficult in a way that its spare parts are got from Kenya. I intensively service it when its due to participate in any autoshows in the country or when I am going to drive it.

Where did you buy it from?
The first owner bought it from some place in Kenya during colonial times. It was also brought in the country still during colonial times. When I got it, it had colonial registration number plates W23. But at that time, it was almost junk and I had to restore it to give it a facelift from my workshop.

How do you cope with its maintenance?
I source its spare parts from Kenya and others in Uganda.

Have you received any offers from people wanting to buy it?
I have received a lot of inquiries from prospective buyers but I have no interest in selling it at all.

Where did you get the inspiration to rebuild it?
My family has a passion for old cars and has a mechanical background as well. When I come across any old car, I raise money and buy it. I and my family have another car restoration branch in Kenya.
Do you ever share it with friends or relatives?
My family members drive it a lot around Kampala because it is fully restored and serviced.

What is its engine size?
It is a 1900cc engine.

Is it automatic or manual?
It is a manual car.

Does it use petrol or diesel?
It uses petrol.

How would you categorise it?
It is a 1937 vintage car.

Have you considered using it for commercial activities?
Yeah, I hire it out to musicians for shooting music videos. I hire it out at Shs2m a day.

Does it have any unique features that many modern cars don’t have today?
Its doors open in the opposite direction and its windscreen tilts like a sunroof.

MORE ON THE LIGHT

The Citroën Traction Avant is an automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1934 to 1957. About 760,000 units were produced. It was designed by André Lefèbvre and Flaminio Bertoni in late 1933 and early 1934.