Final week we took a first look at Wekfest Japan 2023; now it’s time to focus solely on a few of the standout import vehicles that caught my eye inside the model new Port Messe Nagoya exhibition heart.

As ever, the extent of shock was excessive, beginning out with this W126 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL wagon. Sure, you learn proper…

I’ll admit, this one received me good. I initially thought it have to be one in all a really small manufacturing run, but when you realize the W126, you’ll be nicely conscious that Mercedes-Benz by no means provided it in a wagon physique fashion. Because it seems, this construct is the results of a customized venture dreamt up by HWA Astroid Wheels, and the look was achieved by utilizing quite a lot of elements from a W124 wagon.

Up entrance, the SEC face swap provides this large wagon a really distinctive look, whereas AMG Penta-inspired wheels by HWA in any respect 4 corners end the construct off fantastically.

Sticking with the wagons for a second, I couldn’t not embody this two-tone inexperienced W124 dropped over OZ Racing Futuras.

We’ve seen this E34 BMW wagon at a quantity Japan automobile reveals over the previous couple of years (Wekfest included), and it by no means will get previous.

Moontech introduced a bunch of vehicles out to Wekfest, together with this suitably-slammed BMW M2. It’s a pleasant change to see BBS RI-D wheels tucked inside the fenders, proving you don’t want copious quantities of polished dish to get a pleasant look.

As you’ll be able to see from the engine bay shot, efficiency hasn’t been ignored both, titanium pipework and a CSF Race charge-cooler hinting at some additional potential.

This Porsche 996 convertible – one other Moontech creation – wears the Previous & New package very nicely. Seeing it was an awesome reminder that’s an incredible conversion when executed nicely.

You’d need to be fairly gutsy to rework the look of your Porsche so drastically, however there’s no denying the affect it makes.

In complete Moontech fashion, no space of the automobile was ignored in its creation. The inexperienced over almost-fluorescent orange jogs my memory of the GM LS V8-swapped E36 M3 they constructed some years again.

The stance is good and that rear wing provides simply the correct amount of drama on the rear to stability out the wild look.

This iDing Energy-tuned E30 BMW M3 on OZ Racing Futuras might be going to anger a number of purists. What do you suppose?

To complete off the Moontech import choice, right here’s their Ferrari 488 on air, which we first noticed at Tokyo Auto Salon again in January. I’m a sucker for F40-style five-spokes on any automobile.

The Porsche displaying at Wekfest Japan 2023 was as various because it will get, beginning off with a number of good 718 Boxsters. 5-spoke or mesh wheels is the query. Which fashion do you like?

This Cayman’s proprietor has gone down a route I by no means anticipated, becoming up a set of Yokohama Advan Oni 2-inspired 3-spokes.

There was quite a lot of Porsche air-cooled goodness across the place too, and we’ll get to a few of these vehicles additional down the publish.

Out of all of the VWs current at Wekfest – a number of wild Beetles included – this Golf on triple step lip BBS RSs made the most important impression on me.

Again to Mercedes-Benz with two completely different flavors – a shocking two-tone W124 coupe, and a W201 2.3-16, AKA Cosworth 190 E.

Japanese automobile tradition serves up some superb creations, however I typically marvel why twin-turbo Audi R8 (and Lamborghini Gallardo/Huracán) tuning hasn’t caught on right here but.

It appears all the fashion within the US and different locations, so I’d like to see some high-horsepower R8 builds executed in Japan. Nonetheless, there was this instance on BBS rims with meaty tires that just about seemed like a race automobile.

As Japan automobile producers aren’t providing as many efficiency sedans as they as soon as did – at the least tuneable ones – manufacturers like Mercedes and BMW have actually stolen this nook of the market, which implies there are an increasing number of robust four-door Euros on the street right here. I’m not complaining.

‘On level’ is an effective approach to describe this Volvo V70 wagon.

Porsche 964s had been nicely represented at Wekfest, and all these gorgeous vehicles simply made me really feel that rather more depressed at having not seen Project 964 for near eight months now.

You’ll discover a definite lack of aftermarket wide-body conversions right here. Whereas fats FRP fenders add some actual aggression to the 964, you’ll be able to’t deny how good a narrow-body seems with the appropriate stance and wheels.

Of all of the 964s on present in Nagoya, Madlane’s creation was my favourite. Air suspension ensures the mesh wheels sit good with solely the higher portion of the rim sunken into the fenders.

An ITB conversion utterly transforms the engine bay’s look. I received goosebumps simply taking a look at this factor; are you able to even think about what it feels like?!

The inside is straightforward, however filled with all the appropriate additions. Plaid upholstery is one thing you typically see in resto-modded 911s, and this tradition retrim was completely executed, each from high quality and colour coordination standpoints.

I’m certain I’m not the one one who’s puzzled simply how large wheels have to be with a purpose to correctly fill the arches of Audi RS fashions. I imagine these had been 22s!

As I approached this E92 BMW M3 from the rear, I puzzled why so many individuals had been fixated with the entrance finish…

Ahh, that explains it.

These engines sound fruity sufficient in inventory type, so an aftermarket velocity stack combo for the manufacturing unit ITB setup should unleash a critical symphony.

I couldn’t presumably not embody a MINI, particularly when it’s a Cooper S slammed over a set of RS Watanabe wheels. It’s cool to see trendy vehicles operating this legendary rounded 8-spoke design, one thing made attainable via Watanabe’s every-expanding dimension and fitment checklist.

Generally you don’t even want aftermarket wheels, although. Let me know within the feedback part what different vehicles on the market can pull off this look.

Giugiaro fashion with some JDM aptitude – sufficient mentioned.

With this publish and my first from Wekfest Japan 2023, I’ve nonetheless actually solely scratched the floor, so I need to finish with a giant ‘better of the remaining’ occasion gallery publish. Examine again quickly for that.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com