A daydreamer’s destiny: a young Capetonian and his yellow Nissan Sabre
A short story about the unique relationship between a young Capetonian and his yellow Nissan Sabre.
As human beings, romanticising our lives is an inevitable activity we all participate in at some point. On occasion, it’s healthy (and fun!) to imagine a heightened and ‘perfect’ version of our reality where all of the decisions we make have no negative consequences and our egos get that boost we feel we deserve.
In our cars, we’ve all at some point, zooted down the M3 and imagined what it would be like racing around a Formula 1 track as the season’s most promising new driver. Or perhaps, when we perform that seamless parallel park in front of a group of people and feel destined to star in the next Fast & Furious film. It’s good to romanticise our lives sometimes.
For day-dreamer Chandon September, these mental activities have been a part of his life since he first stepped into the drivers seat at fifteen.
In 2014, a young Chandon learned how to drive his dad’s nifty Nissan bakkie. As soon as the engine switched on, his dream to own a Nissan Sabre - a sunset yellow one, just like his dad’s - was ignited. This specific model had a reputation of being a real ‘speed bomb’ and this car enthusiast couldn’t stop thinking about the day when he could have one safely sitting in his own garage.
When he wasn’t pining over his dad’s car parked out on the driveway, a crystal clear image of his Sabre lived rent free in his mind.
Fast forward a few years later, during his usual lunch break scroll through Facebook, a marketplace listing detailing a 1998 200 GXI popped up and stopped him in his tracks. Impeccable condition, low mileage, and bright, bright yellow! Saved instantly to his ‘favourites’ folder, Chandon spent every other hour checking if it had been sold yet and praying for the day that his wallet would allow him to make an offer on the car of his dreams.
Surprisingly, the listing was still running a couple of weeks later. Although he would’ve liked to have had another month or two to pocket some extra cash, he really felt he couldn’t pass up this opportunity. He couldn’t get it out of his head during the day and at night, his dreams were filled with scenarios of him driving around Chapman’s peak feeling on top of the world. He had to honour this desire of his. This car was his destiny.
After viewing and document arrangements had been set, a thorough test drive done, payment made and a couple petrol-head debates later, Chandon drove out of Cape Town’s city centre a very different man in his new prized possession. With his windows down and music blaring, he had never felt more proud of himself and basked in a slow and steady journey home - marking a milestone moment for him in his life. Despite his cup overflowing with excitement he kept the purchase a secret for a few days. A combination of him not quite believing this was his new reality, and a longing for some peace and privacy to admire this purchase in his own company, in his own garage.
It’s crazy what a chunk of metal can mean to a man.
This car - which grew to have the name Chucky - helped Chandon get through some pretty tough times. When he was living away from his girlfriend and his family in another province, Chandon had many lonely, dark moments. What he found incredibly effective for his mental health was fixing and modifying his beloved yellow friend - a genuine source of comfort and companionship. Working on this car with his bare hands kept him physically and mentally busy - helping to pass the time and bring him a sense of purpose and joy.
It was also almost always a popular topic of discussion at the race tracks he liked to go to on the weekends. His yellow friend helped him make actual friends who shared a mutual interest and with whom Chandon was able to talk and laugh with for hours on end.
For the majority of people, a car means convenience. A simple and often unappreciated means of transport getting you from A to B. For others - the lucky few - a car is a sort of partner, in life. A vessel that fosters a sense of belonging, fulfilment and a true love between man and machine.
It has been 5 years since Chandon purchased his Nissan and he only has fond moments to reminisce on. He met many fascinating people, experienced beautiful adventures and learned countless lessons from the memorable and meaningful relationship he shared with his first car. His hope, is to one day pass Chucky down to his own children and help ignite in them that same enthusiasm he had. And of course, to encourage them to day-dream.
