The 2024 Elmia Customized Motor Present Mega Gallery

Can you’re feeling that?

With greater than 800 vehicles and nearly 100,000 attendees, the 2024 Customized Motor Present – aka Elmia – kicked off the Swedish automotive occasion season in an enormous manner over Easter weekend.

Coming into the Elmia Exhibition & Conference Centre halls for this occasion is at all times thrilling. Automotive fans from all corners of Scandinavia journey to Jönköping, Sweden to point out off their newest creations, and their efforts by no means disappoint.

In common trend, I began my walk-through in Corridor X by OijOij. This yr, nevertheless, I had already lent a hand by hanging a few of the fancy yellow lights and photos across the corridor. Maybe I ought to strive dipping my toes in inside design…

Volkswagen Bora versus Saab 9-3. BBS versus Work. Crimson versus Blue. Which one do you choose?

No matter your automotive style, the number of vehicles in Corridor X at all times delivers one thing for everybody.

There are at all times a few vehicles that stand proud of the remainder, although, and this yr’s most important attraction was a pair of Kaido Racer-impressed builds.

Zeb, a New Zealander residing in Sweden, the proprietor of the white Celica, and Alexander from Finland, the proprietor of the blue Celica, have achieved an outstanding job of showcasing the Japanese Kaido Racer subculture with their builds. And the perfect half is, they each drove their vehicles to and from the conference centre.

One other construct that obtained a ton of affection was Tommy Laursen’s Volkswagen Beetle on Air Raise Efficiency air suspension. As you will notice later on this publish, Tommy’s creation was considered one of a wave of Beetles that invaded Elmia this yr.

If I needed to choose only one automotive from Corridor X as a private favourite – not a simple factor to do – it will be this BMW E30 constructed by Pontus Johansson.

I could be biased, however something that even barely resembles a DTM automotive will at all times win my coronary heart. You can not go improper with white paint and contrasting crimson race seats.

Making my manner by Corridor B, I discovered a Liberty Stroll Lamborghini Huracán from Norway displayed alongside a Miles Works Automotive-built Porsche 996 Carrera owned by Peter Magnusson.

There aren’t any RWB Porsches in Sweden, so the Spanish-built Miles Works 996s are a welcome addition to our automotive tradition.

At this yr’s Customized Motor Present, there have been two of them. The second automotive belongs to Rodrigo Castro, who drove the 996 Turbo from Sweden to Mallorca in Spain two years in the past, so it might go beneath the knife.

I spoke to Dominic Miles (the person behind Miles Works Automotive) on the occasion, and he advised me that huge issues are occurring at their store. Possibly I ought to plan a visit to Mallorca to see what they’re as much as…

Keep in mind Henrik Mattsson‘s wild Volvo wagon from the 2023 present? This Volvo pickup belongs to his son, Markus. The V70 includes a customized tube body, Volvo T5 engine, BMW 6-speed ZF gearbox working out to a Mercedes E-Class rear axle, and AMG brakes.

Elmia isn’t Elmia with out the loopy Volvos.

Scandinavians love big-power builds, and Halls A and B are the perfect locations to search out them on the Customized Motor Present. Some are what you’ll anticipate at any customized automotive present, however there are at all times hidden gems. The three builds above are a fantastic instance.

Whereas some builds are purely show-focused, others have a extra sensible objective. Working example, this Toyota Starlet with a BMW engine swap. It’s constructed for one objective: ripping on monitor. I hope this little rocket reveals up at one of many most important Gatebil occasions this summer season, the place everyone knows issues get wild.

Right this moment’s customized automotive tradition owes a fantastic deal to excessive builds like the 2 above.

Excessive ICE in fiberglass enclosures was as soon as the top of automotive modification. For a few days in April in Sweden, you’ll be able to return to 2005 and expertise these builds.

Nevertheless, Fredrik Forsberg has introduced his 1983 Volkswagen Golf Mk2 into the trendy period with a shaved engine bay, customized inside and face-mounted cut up wheels.

I saved coming again to those halls. Not due to the overwhelming quantity of turbo Volvos, however as a result of one of many halls showcased a really particular automotive. The spotlight of my weekend on the Customized Motor Present, no much less.

I used to be in a position to soar the barrier and get proper up shut and private with this 1989 Group C Porsche 962, which was as soon as raced in Japan by the late Kunimitsu Takahashi.

Takahashi-san drove this 962 when it ran the Staff Kunimitsu Kenwood livery. Right this moment, the Porsche sports activities the Rothmans #1 livery, from when it was pushed by Derek Bell, Hans-Joachim Caught and Al Holbert.

It’s one factor to take a look at a automotive like this, however the ingrained odor of this iconic 962 – a mix of burnt gasoline, oil and rubber – took it to a different stage.

Yearly on the Elmia present, they show a automotive that has been properly and really squashed. It’s then as much as the individuals to guess what it’s to win a prize. Judging by this image, any concepts?

Earlier than I made my option to halls C and D, one other VW Beetle working Air Raise Efficiency suspension stopped me in my tracks. See what I used to be saying earlier? It was a Bug takeover!

The recognition of American automotive tradition in Scandinavia appears to by no means wane. I solely see these vehicles at occasions like Elmia, however judging by the variety of new builds yearly, I haven’t even scratched the floor.

I spent plenty of time searching out the gems, and one automotive stood out above the remainder for me. Keep tuned for extra on that construct.

Corridor D on the Customized Motor Present is one other favourite. It’s the place spectators can see how builders work, making it a fantastic place for anybody who desires to study a factor or two concerning the business and passion. Inside, there have been two vehicles I might be preserving my eyes on for future options – a bonkers Mini and a Gruppe 5-inspired BMW 1602.

Outdoors, drifting and stunt reveals supplied some dwell motion. I solely managed to take a handful of snaps earlier than the session ended.

No matter you want, Elmia has you coated. I’ve just a few spotlights from the present to share quickly, so be sure to verify again for these. Within the meantime, there’s extra to take a look at from the 2024 Customized Motor Present within the gallery chapter under.

Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa