Event: Japfest 2011 PT1 - Juiceboxforyou

So it has to be openly said this was one of the best events the country had seen in a long time. The most important part was the amount of effort people put in the make it to the show.The recession was winning the battle and probably still is in many minds when it comes to cars. Things were looking very gloomy but I have to admit, heatwave and then Japfest brought a very positive vibe back into the scene.

Its nice to see people push the car scene in the right direction, many people are playing with their creative side and pushing the whole “jdm” style in the right direction, as you can see above a Rota stand lurks int he background of an ITR wearing a real set of Work SE37’s. It was surprisingly cool to see the level of cars which were rolling on either rare or different wheels to the usual Rota GT3’s. Even though Rotas though rotas can effectivly make a car look good as their copies are almost identical in many cases, you just cant beat the real thing.

Even the wheel whore could get an erection at Japfest, this mere standard looking wheel is actually a super rare Japanese a wheel produced by Bridgstone under the name Super Rap. The pop up now and again online but I was surprised to find out that the owner found them more or less in a bush. The wheels are made of Magnesium and are super light Rare Japanese goodness.

I was even more pleased to find out what they sat under. The classic red pinstripped EF9. Such an awesome late 80’s period correct piece of Japan.

There was much more late 80’s hatch goodness at the show also, like this rare EP71 turbo. What an awesome little car.

I never thought I would come across this little gem.  Not only one but two of these 12 valve turbo little beasts were at the show. Check the awesome speedline wheels on this white example.

How could you resist such an awesome car that came this badass from factory. You really have to admire the Japanese.

I was happy to see a fluxuation in R32’s at the show. They have to be easily one of the most iconic cars to ever come out of Japan and are never given enough attention. This Trial demo car is always nice to see, its great that the car has been looked after and still retains the rare Dunlop direzza rsc’s in white.

Top marks have to be awareded here, this thing was slammed on bronze Cr kai style wheels which looked perfect against the Dark silver along with the headlights and grill.

This HCR32 on the Equips was another awesome sight at the show. It had everything from a mid 90’s Wangan Skyline you would see in the older JDM option films. The rare as hell Work Equips and that massive Top secret back diffuser is just insane.

The front end was even more insane. What a tough looking 32 that looks like it should be doing the 300kph run even when its parked up!

You may remember this ep91’s engine bay from the Heatwave coverage.

Still looking as good as ever!

Someone needs to get funky with an aw11. They are rare but that should stop anyone from doing this.

 

 

Stephen finally has his car back and together, after a three year assembly! Hes told me its still not finished on the outside.

But under the bonnet things are as good as done. Probably the best ae111 engine bay I’ve ever seen ever.  Check the Juicebox sticker on the stainless steel floor!

Jackies car always deserves a photo, being one of the most individual EG6’s in the country it never grows old on the eyes.

Always see this car at shows, theres not to many red DC5’s around and the owner of this keeps it nice and subtle on SSR type C’s.

The good default Glanza look that you just cant hate on. Advan Sa3r’s on a black body with that anodized lip.

Cleeeeannn!

Its very cool to see people try new things and take a go at the styles which are dominant in Japan and America. Some big Wheels on an Altezza for example, and the Shakotan style oil cooler up front is a very bold. The only downside to this is the back end, some mega camber to bring those wheels in and this SXE10 would be even more amazing. Good times.

We need to feature this thing soon, everytime I see it I keep forgetting to get an email. One of the best looking celicas out there.

Celica you say? The Japanese classics could easily give anyone a tent in their pants. This TA22 was ticking every box on those Hayashi’s.

This RX3 makes it to every event almost every year. What an incredible build by a Kiwi who moved to Ireland, Pushing the build quality up a few notches. What an amazing car.

Simons Old MZ20 was lurking in the pits.

Im not going to lie, this looked so much better without the vinyl’s when it was parked at Ennis.

Team WKD always have a nice lineup

I finally get the chance to see Mike Fitz’s FC, what a cool looking car, a chassis which is over looked in the car scene in Ireland.

Donal Garry’s almost show looking engine bay… spot the nitrous bottle!

Damn this E46 looks mean.

I coulndt help but come back to have a second third and fourth look at this EG. It has to be one of the nicest in the country.

Neils Ek9 which we featured on here awhile backs engine bay has gotten a tasty looking make over.

Jamies coupe which used to rock a set of XXr’s now rolls on Darren Fawcett’s old Sprint Hart CPR’s. Holy shit is the correct term here.

From right to left, you can see people lurking this car all day. Hands down one of the best looking Hondas out there. Everytime I look at the car something has changed, its like a constant evolution.

Engine bay perfection you might say?

Estevan’s CL1 is incredible. That is all.

A rear shot wont hurt either…

This H22 Eg looked a tad bit intimidating.

Look at the evil ram horns!

It was nice to see a couple of cars built for function on display.

Functional engine bays can be awesome too right?

This s14.5 was very visible and very in your face, but that added to the appeal. Spot those back wheels and that poke.

This Rps13 is always nice on the eyes. What a beautiful car. The Chrome M2 hanbai DT-05R’s against the gold is such a nice clash and its scoring top marks in the stance class especially at the back.

There was a few s2000’s at the show. Each one was nice but these cars have massive potential.

You dont see this everyday.

Rob’s tough looking Evo 5

The BN sports supra is very very big…. I actually forgot how big it is.

Some cars were parked a little too close together, which made it a challenege to get a decent photo. Packed is good though, and the show was stuffed with decent cars and thats not a bad thing.

Damn this14 was beautiful, and my god was it sitting perfect.

This Red 15 looked badass on the Greddy Gravity Gullflames with white spokes. A rare enough wheel that looks good on every S-body.

Oh look a relatively mild black Japanese Z30 apart from the wing….

A quick peep under the not bonnet reveals a blinging 1jz and a host of other goodies.

This 33 looked like another Skyline which was pulled straight from a Late night wangan run.

What an engine bay! The 33 is usually the sour one of the group with people favouring the 32 and 34 mostly, its when you see a build like this you realise just how amazing they can be.

A free sticker if you can guess what car this bay belongs to, actually sorry thats too easy haha

This year brought a gathering of cars with awesome wheel setups. The Spec R aero spoiler looks so right on this silver 15.

4G63 anyone? One of the nicest evo bays at the show.

It was nice to see a few FD3’s at the show. They really have died off in the last few years which is a shame.

It would be very hard to say no to this. Amemiya’s up front and SP1’s at the back.

This little EF8 is usually at most Honda meets and is always nice to look at, its one of the few out there that keeps reminding me just how cool EF8’s really are.

The one thing I noticed about the even was the amount of Dc2’s that didnt have the advan sticker over the indicator and had thought outside the box and got some unusual or cool wheels for the car. This Dc2 is a fine example, these cars done need a whole lot to look good. Its rare when a car comes out of the factory modified and looks this good even  14 years later. All this owner did was add a set of  Wedsport Sa-90’s and this car could be considered done.

The same formula applies to this blue DC5. The classic “looks good on everything” te37 does it again. The bronze against the blue is probably one of the best colour combos out there.

This owner added to the original exterior instead of trying to create a whole new car. Optional skirts, a spoon front lip with an array of front end carbon and a set of Te37’s and you can bet no matter what trends come and go this car while look just as good 50 years from now.

On a totally different end of the spectrum Ross’s EF9 will hold the same appeal for years to come. The wheel fitment and OEM look is no new trend as many people would call it, its a movement that’s been around for a long time. A quick look back to early 80’s japanese styling and you’ll be surprised to find cars with perfect or insane wheel fitments…. Its all in the wheels!

Wheels make everything better, like this DC5. Ce28’s with blue nuts and no spoiler? This car keeps getting better and better.

Many people complain alot about there being too much Honda coverage in this country. Sure Hondas get a great amount of coverage but within good reason on this site. They created a line of cars which if you think about it are fantastic. Not many other companies out there made econoboxes which would have such a cult following for years to come. I personally will never get tired of putting up clean Hondas like this EK9 and I think there is no one out there that could ever get bored of a set of TE37’s!

Bug eye love

One of the nicest subtle examples of a JDM ST205  in Ireland.

The JZX90 just looks so classy!

Yes and yes! Its great to see people with love for all types of Japanese metal. They really did like giving themselves a much nicer looking car. Any of the european models are nowhere near as subtle and impressive styling wise to what stayed behind in Japan this AE92 is a classic example.

Conor’s Vitz is one of the coolest Cars to ever come out of the factoy at Toyota, it makes you wonder what they are really thinking. One of the biggest car companys make a mundane normal looking commuter, get bored and decide to make a turbo model fitted with an array of TRD parts and Enkei wheels as an optional extra from the dealership! Because if you can, why not?

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming sooner then you think!