Torque
Engineer Ng Kiang Loong roped in his friends to track down his wish car, a uncommon Mitsubishi Evo nine Wagon with a manual gearbox.
Story: Shreejit Changaroth, The Straits Times | Photos: Chan Chung Leong | Published three months ago
When mechanical engineer Ng Kiang Loong desired a family car, his top priority was spectacle. Everything else – space, grace or resale value – took a back seat.
The 36-year-old, a co-founder of home-grown engineering rock hard Hope Technik, opted for a high-powered Mitsubishi Evo nine Wagon, tho’ his car-buying journey took a roundabout route.
“It was last year that I was ready to substitute my four-door 1.8-litre Honda Civic,” he says, adding that he was considering a Ford Concentrate RS, Subaru STi, BMW M135i or an Evo 9.
“The BMW was struck out very first, only because there was no manual gearbox option. And I dreamed a manual car so badly.”
Mr Ng wished an Evo Wagon, but could not find a manual version. So he lodged for a Concentrate RS – until a friend called him one day to say that there was a manual Evo nine Wagon for sale on online car portal sgCarMart.
“Unluckily, by the time I contacted the dealer, it had already been sold,” he recalls. “I was so disappointed, I even suggested to buy it back at a premium.
“As far as I know, it’s the only Evo nine Wagon with a manual gearbox that was ever imported into Singapore.”
That dealer did not or could not oblige, so Mr Ng asked his friends and acquaintances to look out for the car and to contact the holder if they spotted it.
Just three months later, one of his friends witnessed the car and managed to contact the holder.
“It took some persuasion, but by mid-week, I was the proud possessor of a shiny black Mitsubishi Evo nine Wagon,” he says.
Without wasting any time, Mr Ng began modifying the car.
“I work on an OEM-plus methodology, which means I make improvements on what the original manufacturer had designed for optimum overall spectacle.”
OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer.
He adds: “However, a company like Mitsubishi would also have taken other factors into consideration, such as cost and ease of mass production. Here is where my engineering know-how takes over.”
The bodywork was modified by the previous proprietor, so he had a specialist shop fabricate fenders to mimic the original, slightly bulbous wheel arches. After that, he worked on the suspension and chassis to improve the car’s treating and steering response.
Much of the work was done by Mr Ng himself. The Evo nine evolved with many fresh parts, some custom-fabricated.
The car now has slightly broader tracks, a lower rail height and is a joy to drive. Slightly stiffer springs and firmer damping did not earnestly affect rail convenience.
He uses it as a practical family car and to commute to and from work.
So far, his parents and in-laws – who live with him – have had no complaints. His wifey, whose everyday car is a Suzuki Ignis Sport, “loves my Evo 9”. They do not have children.
Mr Ng has also taken the car to Melaka International Motorsport Circuit in Malaysia several times and it has proven to be very reliable.