It all began in 1990 when my dad went for supper at a restuarant called PJ Baru, located opposite the Celcom HQ in PJ. He saw an old Morris Minor and decided to buy it. He put an RM70.00 deposit and decided to come back the next day for it. It was supposedly a gift for his 16 year old son...
I still remember those words "Son, I learnt to drive in a Morris Minor, and so you will too. Follow me tonight, we're going to see the car". Eagerly I told my mate Adrian who jumped delightedly and told me HIS plans to modify the car. Imagine my horror when I set my eyes on that piece of junk!! My dad negotiated with the owner and bought the car for RM2000.00.
Everything had to be fixed on that car. the seats could not fold, the doors were hanging at its hinges, the lights were dim, the engine was leaky and the list went on and on. That night I went to sleep or lied awake in my bed with so many things running through my mind. Bigger wheels, lowered suspension, sound system, a fully loaded engine etc. Then it dawned upon me. The first thing I needed to do - get my own set of tools!! A motorhead was born.
I went down to Thrifty supermarket (with Adrian) and bought 2 screwdrivers, a pair of combination pliers, 4-5 combination spanners/ wrenches (known in Malaysian slang as "common ring"spanners. And that's how it began. The first set of tools I had was an all important "Diamond' brand, made China. To me at the time, they really were diamonds. I admired the clanking sound it made, the bright metallic sheen and the 'feel' of the tools. Then I began hanging out with other like minded friends (Thanks, Raymond, Bobby, Gerard, Vinesh) and learn't a whole lot more about tools. I began to invest in good tool. Soon, brands like Stahlwille, Elora, Stanley, Craftsman and Snap On were among my inventory.
Most of my tools still survive today, thanks to careful handling and maintenance. In the next few posts, I will share what I know and have learnt through the years. Happy reading.
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