Making old cars young again

Most people who are crazy about their cars spend a lot of money adding accessories to distinguish their vehicles from others. But Vichakorn Quli is an exceptional case.

Part owner of Cyber Com International, he buys used cars and restores them to their original condition.

"I love cars and like to make them as they were originally, when they were manufactured," he says.

Take his Mercedes-Benz 500SL W129 as an example. It was first produced in 1992, but Vichakorn bought his five years ago and spent two years restoring it to its original condition, as if it had just rolled off the assembly line.

"I had the entire car repainted by the best garage with the same colour code as the original. All the body parts were removed and painted. I changed all the glass. I took a couple of years to restore it, and it became a new car," he says.

Vichakorn replaced the car's existing engine with a new one. He claims it can now pump out a top speed of 240kph, and even that leaves a little bit to go.

"I could accelerate further, but I think it's enough when you consider what can happen at that speed. The mag wheels are the only things I couldn't replace with original equipment, so I replaced them with 18-inch Brabus mags, to make the suspension firm," he explains.

Alongside the 500SL W129 is a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle.

"I took three years to restore the Volkswagen. All the parts were removed to restore it to its original condition. It was made a long time ago, so I had to take more time to find some of the parts," he says.

"I believe renovating cars to their original condition makes them perfect and durable. I'm sometimes asked why I don't buy supercars. In fact, I like them, particularly the Ferraris, but I don't have enough leftover money to do this, because at least Bt100,000 is needed for each repair bill. I think I should instead use the money to invest in my business.

The IT [information technology] business has been in a downward cycle for several years, and it's not smart to invest all my money in cars."

Car craziness must be separated from doing business, he concludes, adding, "I bring original parts to my cars, but I bring innovative ideas to my business, to compete in the market."

Thanadol Rila

The Nation

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.