In a remarkable display of automotive craftsmanship and dedication to showcasing South African talent, Tariq Moosa, affectionately known as "Chip," emerged as the triumphant victor at Europe's foremost automotive extravaganza held in Birmingham this past weekend. The 38-year-old Moosa, originally hailing from Laudium and the visionary behind Chicanos Customs, astounded audiences and judges alike with his meticulously crafted BMW E9 2800 CS, affectionately dubbed 'Nkabi.'
Moosa's journey to this prestigious victory began when he received an invitation from event organizers to participate in Europe's most distinguished car event, where over 600 vehicles competed for recognition and acclaim. With an unwavering passion for automobiles that has roots dating back to his childhood, Moosa shared, "I used to play with matchbox cars, draw cars in my school books, and the first car I built was an old-school Mr. Bean-shaped Mini. I have always built cars in my garage, no matter where I was."
While Moosa has achieved recognition at numerous local car shows, this international triumph marked an exceptionally humbling milestone in his career. He recounted the journey of creating 'Nkabi,' stating, "We decided to build the E9 because it required the least amount of work as I only had about five weeks, so my staff and I dedicated normal working hours to clients and sacrificed from 6 pm to 10 pm five days a week on Nkabi."
Delving into the car's unique identity, Moosa explained, "When we were discussing the build, we knew the car needed a name and a personality. So my friend, Karidas, said the car was going to take out the competition like a hitman, so that's when we decided to name it Nkabi. The Zulu word for hitman."
Yet, for Moosa, the victory was not solely about the car; it was about the spirit of unity and camaraderie among South Africans, transcending geographical boundaries. He expressed, "Winning the car show wasn't the best part. The way South Africans showed support from across the globe showed the true spirit of Ubuntu."
The warmth and hospitality extended to him by the friends he made in Europe and the show organizers were truly heartwarming. Equally heartening was the overwhelming support he received from his family, friends and fans back in South Africa. The remarkable assistance provided by numerous sponsors, who generously supported this endeavour, played an indispensable role in making this journey possible.
Moosa marveled at the warmth and enthusiasm of South Africans he encountered at the event, sharing anecdotes of individuals who travelled long distances to witness 'Nkabi' in person. He stated, "When I got there, there were so many South Africans at the show. This one lady came with her two sons and started speaking to me in Afrikaans; she said she missed speaking in her home language." Another gentleman, formerly from PE, undertook an eight-hour journey to see the South African masterpiece, proudly clad in South African attire and regaling the story of 'Nkabi' to all who would listen.
Reflecting on his audacious decision to embark on this journey, Moosa remarked, "When I decided to take this journey a few months back, I had no idea if we could pull it off. However, I had faith like every other daring thing I've done in my life. I thought to myself, Chip, you got this. And boy, did we do it."
For Moosa, this victory represents a pinnacle in his life and a significant milestone for the South African car scene. He concluded, "This is a massive step for the SA car scene. This win is for Africa."
For those eager to delve into the complete journey and transformation of 'Nkabi,' a comprehensive video series is available on the Chicanos YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@Chicanos.Customs?si=k_OrIQqA6jhmwoxd
