Bengmobiles & Paktor: How VTEC Dreams and Ah Lians Fueled My Love Life (But Not My Career)

A true mat rempit or boy racer can’t just rely on a souped-up ride to impress his dream girl, but hey, it sure helps when it comes to paktor (dating).

Even if the so-called “Far East & Furious” machine is a classic bengmobile, complete with an outrageous bodykit, an oversized GT wing that looks ready for takeoff, flashy neon underglow, ciplak (cheap) anime decals, and an exhaust so loud it could summon JPJ (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan).

Now, the kakak-kakak working in KL’s corporate towers, clutching their branded handbags, might roll their eyes at such a flamboyant whip. But their street-smart sisters—the ones who skipped the international school route—might just appreciate the Young & Dangerous aesthetic, especially if the driver is a Chan Ho Nam lookalike with just the right amount of swagger.

Of course, a certain beng starter pack is expected, gold chains, dragon motifs on anything wearable, a tattoo or two (optional), and a hi-fi system blasting 369 watts of remixed techno kaw kaw. If he’s an old-school beng, the playlist might feature Andy Lau classics, a throwback to the days of illuminated Nokia antennas and orange combs with ridiculously sharp ends.

Thinking back to my own boy racer days, I remember two Honda Civics—both rocking DOHC VTEC dreams—helping me zoom past ah sengs in less “powderful” hatchbacks, all of us on the same highway, chasing both speed and steady ah lian companionship.

But alas, despite my 115 PS per litre, titanium gear knob, red Recaro seats, and a once-pristine Championship White paint job (which I foolishly resprayed to Sunlight Yellow for extra beng points), my love life remained stuck in neutral.

Glorious? Yes. Respectable? Boleh bah kalau kau (questionable at best). Great for paktor and flexing at mamak parking lots? Absolutely. But for social climbing? Not so much."I used to have a Honda Type R like that one, but yerrow corour."