Malaysia is rapidly becoming one of Southeast Asia’s premier car culture hotspots. I can safely say this, as I’ve witnessed its evolution firsthand over the past decade.
Back in 2014, Asep, the organizer of Art of Speed, invited me to a new event he was putting on. Little did I know then that it would 1.) become the country’s largest car and motorcycle festival, and 2.) that I’d be returning year after year.
Yet, here I am in 2024, bringing you all the highlights of an event that has become synonymous with Malaysian automotive culture. While neighboring countries like Indonesia and Thailand had an early start in developing their unique modified and collectible car scenes, Malaysia quickly caught up and is now charting its own path.
If you need proof, look at my 2014 Art of Speed event coverage, and then scroll down through the years to see the evolution over 11 shows.
What stands out about Malaysian car enthusiasts is their ability to draw global inspiration and then craft their unique styles. They’re relentless in their pursuit of innovation, continually perfecting their skills and results.
But what truly sets Malaysia apart is its incredible variety. I mean, even at Tokyo Auto Salon, you won’t find this level of diversity – where the past is honored alongside the present. It’s not confined to Japanese or German cars; it’s a celebration of everything.
At what other show can you walk through a hall and see an Alfa Romeo 164 Quadrifoglio on O.Z. Racing wheels…
…then an itasha-style kei truck…
…turn your head to see an over-fendered Suzuki Vitara with a snorkel…
…and end up drooling over a DTM-themed W201 Mercedes-Benz?
At the same time, this variety makes it challenging to properly cover Art of Speed without showcasing every car. Every beautifully crafted build represents something special in its own right.
That said, I gave it a good crack by selecting some standout cars for this event coverage story.
Let The Mix Begin
Let’s start with a unique mix – a decked-out Daihatsu Copen next to a BMW E92 with a wild wide-body kit and deep-dish wheels.
I even spotted this E36 M3.
It’s always cool to see local models getting custom treatment, like this Perodua, essentially a pickup version of a Daihatsu Mira.
The Honda scene continues to grow in Malaysia, now including classics like the late ’80s/early ’90s EF Civic.
Vintage Japanese wagons always steal the show for me, especially when it’s an ultra-rare Datsun Sunny California.
There are always surprises at Art of Speed, like this Toyota MR-S-based Modellista Caserta – one of only 150 produced in 2000. The Caserta was a more refined MR-S conversion, reminiscent of an ASL Garaya.
This year, Asep and his team invited some impressive air-cooled 911s. The local classic Porsche scene is one I’ve started exploring during my recent visits to Kuala Lumpur.
The 930 Turbo sported a Wangan racer look with a TBK-like front bumper and integrated projector lights, sitting low on two-piece mesh wheels.
Alongside was a unique 911 with a tube rear bumper reminiscent of a Safari build. Check out the fabrication work on the custom titanium exhaust.
And then there was the almost fluorescent yellow flachbau – a legit RUF car with a full engine rework and two modern turbos on full show.
This EG6 Honda Civic build, brought over from Thailand, was the most extreme of its breed I’ve ever seen. Although I missed seeing the engine setup, the wild exterior blew me away.
The Back Wheels Bitches (BWB) crew showcased an amazing display blending kyusha style with a Malaysian twist.
They even had a Kenmeri on display – the first C110 Nissan Skyline I’ve seen in Malaysia…
…and a cool camo FC3S Mazda RX-7 drop-top on BBS wheels.
As usual, I had the tough job of nominating one car for the Speedhunters Award. Ultimately, I chose this super-clean Celica for its style, execution, and impressive engine bay.
JDM & More
The largest part of the show was dedicated to modern classic Japanese cars, starting with this S13 Nissan Silvia featuring subtle widening and a stunning engine bay with serious wheel tubs.
The Nissan lineup also included the popular A31 Cefiro, a staple in Southeast Asia’s drift scene.
Not far away was a pristine BNR34 Nissan Skyline GT-R with a Nismo Series 1 front bumper, R-Tune carbon hood, and Nismo side skirts for a complete Omori Factory feel. Other highlights included Nismo LMGT4 wheels, carbon risers for the rear wing, and Ganador carbon-look mirrors.
Also in the Nissan camp was this clean 180SX with transparent headlight covers and a modern drift vibe.
I love seeing narrow-body R33 Skylines given the Pandem treatment, and this build was a faithful replica of Jun Takahashi’s Hardcore Tokyo car. So cool!
It’s humbling to see Speedhunters fans still rocking old merch, like the katakana window banner. They’re so popular that I even saw replicas on random cars around Kuala Lumpur, including a taxi!
Check out this carbon-clad Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX – an iconic car in Malaysia – sporting RAYS Volk Racing TE37 SLs and an Endless big brake kit.
Continuing with JDM – or GDM in this case – Nakai-san visited KL before AOS, and this 997 Turbo Cabriolet was one of his builds. I even had the chance to drive it inside the venue during the event’s opening ceremony.
While the 997 represents a modern take on RWB style, there’s something uniquely special about Nakai’s air-cooled builds. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new RWB 997 conversion – let me know in the comments section!
Honda Fest Malaysia had its own stand, featuring two special cars, the first, this half-carbon Civic EK9 with a K-swap…
…and the second, a Mugen-themed S660, showcasing what a great entry-level sports car it was. Too bad Honda has discontinued it.
Another tough Honda build on the main show floor was this EG6. It reminded me of some Civics I see at Tsukuba time attack events.
I’ve seen Lancer Evo III 4G63 engine-swapped Mitsubishi Mirages in Southeast Asia before, and this circa-1993 coupe was no exception. Somehow, it just works!
I’ll wrap up with this Mooneyes Thailand-built Camaro, adorned with the iconic yellow-on-black livery that has defined the company since Dean Moon opened his Santa Fe Springs fabrication shop in the 1950s.
I hope you enjoyed the highlights from this year’s show and got a sense of the diverse styles that define Malaysian car culture. I’m already looking forward to Art of Speed 2025!
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
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