WHISTLING HUSTLER

We spend time behind the wheel of an old Merc. Not just any old Merc, mind you

- Janak Sorap

I am not sure how many of you have driven a Mercedes-Benz W124. Not many, I assume, since this car was mostly seen as the prized possession of the affluent, the business types who would read the newspaper on their way to office while being chauffeured. The driver, draped in white overalls and a hat on his head, would maintain a smooth pace regardless of the way the traffic moved because the sethji in the back seat should not be disturbed at any cost. Also, many might confirm that for some reason honking the car ahead that carried the three-pointed badge came off as ill-mannered and disrespectful.

After all these years, it was finally my moment to experience what it felt to drive a W124. However, there was something different about this one; when glanced at, it looks like any other W124 just with big wheels. But head to the front and a large intercooler grabs your attention, almost as big as that mighty grille. It has ‘KSM’ spray painted on it and has shiny stainless-steel pipes with red silicone hoses on either side. The man standing next to it was not only its owner but is also responsible for the first two letters of said acronym. Karan Shah is the owner of KS Motorsport, a wellknown car customisation and tuning shop located in the heart of Mumbai in Ballard Estate.