Nine years after taking the decision to make a car in Jamaica, Legendary reggae artiste Leroy Sibbles show off his new vehicle, the Local Legend, created by Lotus England, who designed the first of its kind in the 1950’s. Sibbles told the Sunday Gleaner how he became interested in having the car built, “I went to Mandeville and saw a Doctor friend with one and I just loved it…:” Lotus England convinced the vintage crooner he could make another, “…and I said well we gonna build one..” Sibbles said. Both men thereafter started shopping for parts.
The reggae music veteran of 40 years said of his inspiration to make the car, “the design has stood from that tine until today, and that kinda reflects the person I am.”
Although the end product looks pretty impressive, Leroy Sibbles further explained to the Sunday Gleaner why it took nine years to completely make this car. The process involved out-sourcing mechanics to rectify issues with the engine as well as sourcing parts from all over the world at an estimated US$20,000. But at the end of it all Sibbles said, “I am satisfied with the final product” although, “we had to import too much.” Although those challenges posed a ‘major setback’ Sibbles walked away confident in local car makers and lauded some mechanics for being able to function without all the required tools.
Leroy Sibbles received the Order of Distinction in 2002 by the Jamaican Government, the Caribbean/Canada Pageant Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 and over 30 honours throughout his career.
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Source: Gleaner Jamaica
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