Daily driver: old friend, trusted sword

Some people agree that dogs look like their owners. It does seem like there exists a law of reciprocated magnetism which gives some folks the talent of picking out emotionally supportive ‘wing men’.

In rare cases, this can be the case for a man and his car – and for Ashlee Govender, his 1994 Toyota Corolla 160i GLS Sprinter has been wagging its tail right with him since he was a lad.

Born and raised in Tongaat, Ashlee’s family bought the Corolla in 2002 when he was 13 years old as an upgrade from a Ford Sierra, and it’s been following Ashlee around since his childhood with the deliberate curiosity of a farm dog – being there for him to dote on, play with and eventually take the wheel of at an early age.

It was his guardian steed while he cautiously explored the world, and equally when he took on a career – the car evolved into a workhorse of everyday practicality and reliability.

It certainly wasn’t left out when he started gathering the interest of a particularly beautiful young lady, either – escorting him to and from dates, movie theatres and even the splendorous beaches of the North Coast, where he finally got down on one knee and professed his love for her.

Cut to 2019, and it seems like the old mate still polishes its boots off to make him proud – ferrying his newborn baby girl Andréa home from hospital.

Being all things to all men is something a lot of car manufacturers claim of their automobiles, but few have the longevity to see it through; Ashlee’s Corolla, however, is a tangible testimony.

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The bulletproof 4-AFE Toyota motor has seen an upgrade from a humble 77kW to a recorded 103kW – an interesting figure when reminded that the car is a featherweight at 992kg.

With a power-to-weight ratio equivalent to a Mini Cooper S, it isn’t afraid to climb into the ring and box with the younger boys, but this isn’t what Ashlee enjoys most about it.

The car is a treasure chest of memories on four wheels, and cruising the M4 between Umdloti and Ballito with the sunroof open, windows down with hits of the 80s and 90s playing through the Rockford Fosgate sound system is where he’s in his element.

“My dad worked hard for this car as I grew up, and I am very appreciative of that. Every memory of my life is somehow wrapped around it; from new experiences and timeless remembrances, right down to my own family values and moral code. The car actually keeps me humble and reminds me of the blessings of life, and that’s why it’s so close to my heart.”

Being a reserved, modest young husband and father, the Corolla exhibits similar external styling cues with most of the stress placed on core functionality and strength, rather than obvious external cosmetics – such as the rear drum brakes being upgraded to a modern disc-brake setup from a Toyota RunX.

Various parts of the interior and seats, switchgear and chassis components incorporate factory upgrades from a Twincam Executive model Corolla, and a set of wheels from a Corolla RXi that Ashlee purchased proudly with his first paycheck. His wife Deniece, who also has an affinity for cars, sees the Corolla as a comical extension of his character, and cannot imagine him without it as it’s been an attribute of every memory she has of him since getting to know him.

“If something isn’t right with the car, he isn’t settled unless it’s repaired, but I can understand – it’s as much a part of him as his arms and legs,” she says, laughing out loud.

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Holding together something as precious as your childhood, first love and first child in one asset isn’t easy to find, and Ashlee knows this.

Offers to purchase the sleek, well-tuned family saloon are turned down in droves at fuel stations and parking lots around Ballito, as he has a purpose destined for the car that outlasts merely giving it away.

Over the years, Ashlee has always leaned towards turning the heirloom into a street-legal circuit racer with a powerful suspension setup, and has carefully projected every modification so as not to clash with this resolution – while still retaining the highway cred and youthful enthusiasm that a sunset cruise along the M4 always brings him.

Family man, family car, family memories: perhaps the heroes some people need aren’t the ones that rescue you with pomp and circumstance – but the ones that hold your hand throughout it all, and never let go.

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