Build your dream car from junk

Moses Ngobeni is fiercely protective of the red roadster he spent three years building in his backyard.

The 41-year-old man from Giyani, Limpopo, South Africa, had to hire a crane to take his creation to the police station in Venda to have the chassis number engraved and the vehicle registered.

Moses Ngobeni and his red 2-seater sports car became famous after appearing on social media. Photo: Sowetan.

The truck driver was so impressed by Ngobeni’s red “monster” that he took a photo and posted it on Facebook. The post was then shared more than 5,000 times on social media.

"Within an hour of the photos going online, I received phone calls from strangers, including journalists, asking for interviews. But I refused because the car was not yet finished," Ngobeni said from his home. "I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention. As an African, I knew someone would be jealous and try to stop the car from being completed."

The father of three and an electrical engineer didn’t hesitate to spend more than $16,000 to make his childhood dream come true. He started building cars in 2013, 19 years after he first sketched them as an electrical engineering student.

Ngobeni started with imported taillights from a 2015 Nissan GTR Skyline, followed by side mirrors and sound deadening. He built the body from locally sourced sheet metal and designed the interior himself.

The 2-liter engine is taken from a BMW 318is for a top speed of 250 km/h. The headlights are from an Audi TT coupe that Ngobeni owns.

The electrical system is linked to Ngobeni's mobile phone, allowing him to start the car remotely. The roadster rides on 18-inch wheels and is equipped with a computer screen and airbags.Some other features of the car include an aerodynamic design with retractable side wings like an airplane and which help stabilize the car in case of emergency braking.

"Since I was seven years old, I told myself that one day I would build my own car. I grew up loving sports cars, which no one in Giyani could own." Now, Ngobeni's next dream is to build his own helicopter.

According to VNE