He dreamed of it 20 years ago and built it with his own hands: "They offered me 1.5 million, but I didn't sell it."


The two-passenger vehicle features a polyester body and Lombard engine and transmission. The car, which boasts a convertible top, features a radiator grille underlay. The vehicle's brake system is wind-up. Yavuz himself completed all assembly, welding, and bodywork.

Painted yellow, the car bears the phrase "National and Local," while its specially chosen license plate, 34 SY 1461, symbolizes the owner's initials and the year of Trabzon's conquest. Yavuz completed the car in 2005 at a cost of approximately 50,000 Turkish Lira. Following his retirement, Yavuz brought the car back to his hometown of Yomra, Trabzon, where it was met with considerable interest. Some car enthusiasts offered 1,500,000 Turkish Lira for the Zigana, a car with which he frequently posed for photos. However, Yavuz declined all offers. The hand-crafted Zigana stands out not only for its functionality but also as a symbol of the determination and ingenuity of the Black Sea people.

Sabri Yavuz, who travels up and down the hills and mountains in his 20-horsepower "Zigana," said, "I spent half my life in Istanbul. I was a driver there. I had dreams in my mind. At the time, the Formula One track was built. I wanted to build a car that would fit it. I worked in the workshop until dawn on Saturdays and Sundays. This is the car I ended up with. I took parts from each different car. It's entirely my own work. They gave me polyester and a canopy. Some friends helped me out. I couldn't plan this car by drawing. This is what happened when I started building it. I made the floor from heating sheet metal, so it doesn't rust. I started building it with smart screws. A friend told me that the swinging bolts always fall out on this road. Then he gave me polyester. I had some understanding of these projects, and that's how I completed them. It has a wind-up brake system. I used a 20-horsepower, single-cylinder Lombard engine. It's a bit loud, so I'm thinking of changing it. Only the engine has a license; nothing else has."

Yavuz, noting that the vehicle cost 50,000 TL in 2005, said, "There's a lot of interest. I've received many offers. It's dangerous and illegal for someone else to use it. My 2005 model cost close to 50,000 TL back then. I could have bought a brand new car from the dealership. Since I had a car at the time, I didn't choose to buy a new one. I wanted to build a different car. I fill up the tank once, and it lasts me a month. I even go to the highlands. It has a special license plate. Of course, it doesn't have an official license plate. I built a trailer on the back. I carry my coal and wood with it. I've had someone buy it. They offered me 1.5 million, but I didn't sell it. I have goals for the future, but I'm not thinking about a vehicle. I'm planning a glider that will fly, but I can't find the parts I need in our region."

Hamsi Eski, who came to the Özdil neighborhood of Yomra from Sürmene, Trabzon, with a friend, said he inspected the car and liked it very much. "I thought it was strange when I saw it. When I parked the car, I saw it coming from above and asked my friend what it was. I examined the car. Being a car mechanic, I was curious. I liked it. It's perfect for a village. It can meet all your needs. Handicrafts are very beautiful. The Black Sea people are truly unique. I really liked hearing the story behind the car. I want to have one like this. If it sells, I'll buy it." Mustafa Adanur said, "I've seen this car before. It has very interesting work. I'll ask my brother Sabri to make me a wheelchair. I heard the story and I know it's handmade. The government needs to support it. The Black Sea people can do everything."
ntv