Showdown!

This is a big weekend for tuning cars in Japan. Out in Nagoya, the annual Exciting Car Showdown is drawing big name cars from all over Japan. There won't be too many Evo's and Impreza's there,however, as tomorrow is also the day of the much anticipated '08 edition of the Hyper Meeting at Tsukuba Circuit. That's where I will be, so I wasn't able to get out to Port Messe in Nagoya for the 'Showdown. Luckily, I was able to find a few photos from the first day of the event thanks to こてぴんさん.

While a lot of the cars at the event have already appeared at Tokyo Auto Salon or other events this year, it looks like there were still a lot of interesting things to be found at the Exciting Car Showdown.  The atmosphere is also much more relaxed, lacking the crowds and craziness of Auto Salon. There is also a lack of campaign gals and the creepy guys who come to the car shows only to swarm them.

Anyways, here a few of the "exciting" cars I thought were interesting.

Looks like some new wheels for the ZELE R35.

I think it is impossible to tire of seeing Hakosuka Skylines, especially when they are as clean as this one.

Mirage hatchback converted to an Evolution by Shimoyama  . You can also see a coupe conversion in the background.

Nissan crew packing what appears to be SR20 power.

This A31 Cefiro looks like it came right out of an old issue of Drift Tengoku or BM.

"RE-86" Levin from Auto Labo.

The German invasion continues with this rad-looking E46 M3 from Impact Magic.

R31 House always delivers the goods.

Although they are still quite popular in the US, you don't really see older Honda's too much in Japan. I was surprised to see this mean looking circuit-ready EF9.

My favorite has to be this W202 Benz C Class powered by a Honda F20C with a bolt-on turbo kit. The Advan RS wheels look stunning as well. The Exciting Car Showdowns always seem to have a number of cars with wild engine swaps and conversions and I think this car takes the cake.

That's all for now. Time to get to bed and get rested for an Evo and Impreza overload tomorrow at the Hyper Meeting.

Comments

[Matt]

Nice coverage! I would love to come in Japan.

btw: I send you a mail last week, please reply.