In 2020, the 67-year-old established his own automobile workshop in Kampung Pulau Meranti, Puchong, to continue nurturing his passion.
“After restoring cars for almost four decades, I found the demand for my services very encouraging. What was initially a hobby has become a lucrative business,” said Sathia, who lives in Bandar Bukit Puchong with his wife, kindergarten teacher Amuthavalli Murugiah. The couple have a son and daughter.
Recounting his foray into classic and vintage cars, he said it all began after he enlisted into the RMAF in May 1976.
After six months of basic military training at Port Dickson Garrison, he attended the RMAF school of aeronautics in Kinrara for a year. Thereafter, he was posted to the Butterworth air base for a two-year apprenticeship.
In 1980, Sathia was among more than 100 aircraftmen who were sent for a year-long specialised technical course at the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“We were the only batch to have been sent there for training to maintain, repair and overhaul the US-made Sikorsky S-61-A4 Nuri helicopter fleet operated by the RMAF,” he explained.
“I specialised in airframes, while others were trained on engine, avionics, electrics, instruments and radio equipment.
“Our stint there was invaluable as it charted our careers in the RMAF and later on in the corporate world.”
His time in the US wasn’t limited to airforce activity: Sathia has fond memories of riding horses with his coursemates at the Old Tucson Studio in Arizona, where the television series “High Chaparral” was filmed, during the winter break.
“Six of us hired a Buick Century and drove to-and-fro 8,000km from Tulsa to Northrop University in San Francisco, to San Diego Zoo, Los Angeles Universal Studios and the Golden Gate Bridge in California, on to Las Vegas in Nevada, and then to the studio’s horse ranch, before returning to our campus.”
He also recalled, with a laugh, being “pursued” by Native American women at dance parties on weekends!
Upon his return to Butterworth, Sathia used his spare time after work and on weekends at the air base to service and maintain airmen’s cars.
“Soon, word got around and officers began sending their cars to my quarters. It was not long before other top brass and the base commanding officer did likewise.
“It appeared that, if the aircrew could trust me to maintain the Nuris, I could do likewise with their personal cars,” said Sathia, who added that there was no conflict of interest as he only performed these tasks after official duty hours.
By his count, he has maintained “hundreds of cars” and restored at least 40. His very first restoration was a Jaguar 2.4 in 1988.
“Early on, simple maintenance would take a day or two, but restoration work would take up to six months as I was only doing it part-time and single-handedly,” he noted.
“There were no issues with spares as I had built a good network with local and overseas suppliers.”
After retirement, Sathia was offered jobs at leading workshops but opted to join Airod Sdn Bhd, an aircraft maintenance company, for a year and Transmile Air for four years before lecturing at Nilai University for five.
Thus far, the models he has restored include the Citroen Pallas, Citroen DS, Citroen Traction Avant 11BL, Sunbeam Talbot 90, Auto Union 1000, Volvo P1800, Fiat 600, Triumph Spitfire, Triumph Herald 1200 Convertible, Lancia Beta, Singer Vogue Mk11, Hillman Minx, Mercedes-Benz 124 and 123, Ponton 180, Austin A55 Cambridge, Riley 1960, Fiat 1100, Fiat Topolino 500, MGB 1965, Opel Olympia Rekod, and Morris Cowley.