Motor heaven

Motor heaven
American loves the fact he can modify his Mitsubishi cheaply in Thailand, and isn't hassled by the police
Published on October 31, 2007


Motor heaven

Maurice J McKay with his Mitsubishi Eclipse. He likes being able to modify his car even further at a cost far lower than in the United States.

Imagine how happy we would be if we were always accompanied by our loved ones when travelling around the world. Maurice J McKay, an American, is one such lucky man as he takes his beloved car with him when he takes up a new overseas posting.

McKay's current job is in Southeast Asia Postal Activities at the US Embassy in Bangkok.

"I greatly enjoy driving my favourite car, a Mitsubishi Eclipse, in every country where I work. Before I was posted in Thailand, I was in Seoul, South Korea, for three years. In Seoul, I could drive my car to work because the US Embassy has a parking lot. I couldn't drive my car to work when I was posted in some other countries because of a lack of parking space," he said.

He recalled that he hardly made any modifications to his car when he worked in Seoul, as there were few car accessories and most of those available were for European vehicles.

"Korea has its own car brands," he said. "My car is Japanese-made and that's why there were few accessories for it. However, Thailand is my heaven and my car has been improved during the two years I've been posted here." His car was modified at Impression Garage by adding a turbocharger to the original two-litre engine. His car can now pump out more than 400 horsepower if the engine is operated at full throttle.

"I have to start getting used to my modified engine, as my back always leans back into the driver's seat when the turbo engine is functioning. My car's modification is not completed yet as I'm waiting to install a new clutch and reset the suspension. My car is produced for the US market, while Thailand's roads are bumpy. It is very difficult for me to drive in these conditions with a body so low," he said.

McKay feels lucky to be staying in Thailand, as modification costs here are far lower than in the United States.

"Americans can be obviously divided into those who love to decorate only the body and those who modify the engine," he said. "Besides, American police always stop modified cars to check the engine and the driver's criminal record, and that's why the number of those who love car modifications is small as they don't want to have any problems with the police.

"In Thailand, police don't bother checking modified cars and, when I got the chance, I modified the engine even though I'm not a high-speed driver. I also changed my car's audio system at FML, which wasn't too expensive.

US car audio systems focus on bass as the most popular musical style is hip-hop."

McKay drives his Mitsubishi on weekends to meet friends, and heads off to Chon Buri province to open the car up at full throttle. During the week, he drives an Audi.

"I cannot drive my Mitsubishi on Bangkok roads due to the traffic congestion. I'm very lucky to be posted in Thailand. My friends will be envious when my term here ends and I take my car back to the US," he said.

Thanadol Rila

The Nation