Top Drawer

Dilip Chhabria is the man who picks up anything on wheels and turns it into an awe-inspiring miracle. Operating out of a modest little garage in the far-flung Kondivita village, Andheri East, you find it difficult to believe that this is the base of operations for the same man whose cars draw disbelieving oohs8217; and aahs8217; every time one sees them in films, or even on the roads. It is also a reason why he doesn8217;t drive one of his own creations and sticks to a Mercedes. quot;I find a Mercedes more understated; at least people don8217;t stop me at signals and ask me about the car.quot;

His office is like the proverbial mirage in the middle of a hot, dusty and over-heated garage. Spartan and clean, with a table so shiny that you are tempted to play with your hair, his office is full of the tools of the trade. Magazines, a sketch pad, books and a portable phone. There are models of cars sitting next to laminated plaques that urge you: quot;Let8217;s bring the emotion back to car-building. Let8217;s learn again, how to ignite theflames of passion.quot;

8212; Ruchi Sharma