This Ballito Austin Mini might be small but he sure is loud

Ballito resident Mohnish Ramgovind likes his cars loud, louder and even louder.

Admittedly an expensive hobby, the transport and logistics businessman said he poured about R150 000 into the sound and makeover of his pride and joy, a 1964 Austin Mini Country Man.

“I have had the Mini for the past year and a half and my friend Ajay Subajh, who owns a panel and paint company, worked on it for almost a month and a half, giving it a new look.”

The Mini is now a sound beast and it recently took home third loudest in the world at the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) hatch 2 division held at Sibaya Casino in August.

“I named the car El Patron, which means the boss, and I am now preparing for the finals set to take place in December.”

While El Patron is roadworthy, Ramgovind said he only uses it on weekends and when he is going to sound competitions.

The stylish 30-year-old sound fanatic said the sound bug bit him in 2002. He was still in high school when he laid eyes on a family friend Vinesh Bisson’s mini cooper that he used for sound competitions.

“That was when I fell in love with sound and Vinesh taught me a lot about the game. He has been holding my hand since then and I have been competing for the past 13 years.”

Ramgovind entered his first competition in 2006 and he has not looked back.

He admits he is hooked on the thrill of the hunt for the latest sound equipment, and it does not come cheap.

“As we speak, El Patron, is being stripped apart and I am putting new equipment in her for the next competition.

“As time goes on another better amplifier might come up and I will have to have it!”

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