New addition to Palm Lakes’ ‘Size’ Reddy’s impressive car collection

The space-age design of the 1991 Subaru SVX delivers a 1980s view of the future of motoring.

With cut out windows, a low slung design and ‘sleek’ fake mahogany panelled interiors, the SVX was the definition of luxury for a forward thinking early 90s gearhead.

Thirty-two years later and it still draws looks from passers-by when driven around the North Coast by Palm Lakes resident Thanersen ‘Size’ Reddy.

For Reddy, the SVX is the newest addition to a wide collection of cars designed for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM).

“I’ve only just got it! I bought the SVX just over three weeks ago from the previous owner in Cape Town. It was one of only 15 1991 models that made it to South Africa, of which six or seven remain running,” said Reddy.

Styled by famed Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the SVX debuted as a concept car in 1989, before going into full production in 1991.

The 1994 model would feature on the January cover of South Africa’s famed CAR Magazine alongside the Toyota Supra and Mercedes E320.

“It has climate control, cruise control and an electric driver’s seat which were the height of luxury in 1991. It was too expensive for the market, so never really got that popular before production stopped in 1996,” he said.

An unpopular car makes for a collector’s dream however, forming an unusual time capsule which would otherwise be hard to come by.

Reddy’s model is among the best around, given all the parts are stock (original) and have survived three decades and 240 000 kilometres on the road.

It is a current favourite in Reddy’s collection, which also includes a Nissan 300ZX, Subaru WRX, 1994 Toyota Celica, 1981 Toyota Corolla and two Mazda RX7s – one of which is stock while the other has a Toyota JZ engine.

“I have always loved cars and knew I would become a collector if I had the money. JDM cars always stood out to me because of their crazy designs and my love for the Gran Turismo video game just pushed it over the edge!”

Reddy owns a shoelace manufacturing company, but spends every minute outside of work thinking about or driving his cars.

He will do some basic work on most of them himself, but admits that he leaves the Subarus to the experts because of their infamously complex engine design.

As for what’s next, nothing has caught Reddy’s eye yet, but there will no doubt be a JDM car around the corner ready to find its new home in Palm Lakes.

“Honestly, I just love driving them. How much time do you spend in you car? In a world of pedestrian cars, you might as well drive something unique.”

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