Malaysia is fast becoming one of the major hotspots for car culture in Southeast Asia. I can confidently say this as I have witnessed its evolution firsthand over the past decade.
In 2014, Asep, the organizer of Art of Speed, invited me to a new event he was organizing. Little did I know that 1.) it would become the largest car and motorcycle festival in the country, and 2.) that I would return year after year.
Yet here I am in 2024, bringing you all the highlights from an event that has become synonymous with Malaysian car culture. While neighboring countries like Indonesia and Thailand started developing their unique custom and collectible car scenes early on, Malaysia has quickly caught up and is now charting its own path.
If you need proof, check out my 2014 Art of Speed event coverage and then scroll 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 create their unique styles. They are relentless in their pursuit of innovation and continually perfect their skills and results.
But what really sets Malaysia apart is its incredible diversity. I mean, even at the Tokyo Auto Salon you won’t find this level of diversity – where the past is honored alongside the present. It’s not limited to Japanese or German cars; it’s a celebration of everything.
At what other show can you walk down a hall and see an Alfa Romeo 164 Quadrifoglio on OZ Racing wheels?
…then one itasha-style boulder truck…
…turn your head to see an overfendered Suzuki Vitara with a snorkel…
…and finally drool over a DTM-themed W201 Mercedes-Benz?
At the same time, this diversity makes it a challenge to properly portray Art of Speed without showing every car. Each beautifully crafted structure represents something special in itself.
That said, I did a good job selecting some standout cars for this story covering the event.
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 the bespoke treatment, like this Perodua, which is essentially a pickup version of a Daihatsu Mira.
The Honda scene continues to grow in Malaysia, and now includes classics such as the EF Civic in the late ’80s/early ’90s.
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 started exploring during my recent visits to Kuala Lumpur.
The 930 Turbo had a Wangan racer look with a TBK-style front bumper and integrated projector lights, sitting low on two-piece mesh wheels.
Next to it was a unique 911 with a tubular rear bumper reminiscent of a Safari construction. Check out the fabrication work of the custom titanium exhaust.
And then there was the almost fluorescent yellow flachbau – a legitimate RUF car with a complete engine rework and two modern turbos on full show.
This EG6 Honda Civic brought over from Thailand was the most extreme of its kind I have ever seen. Although I missed the engine setup, the wild exterior blew me away.
The Back Wheels Bitches (BWB) crew showed off an amazing display mix kyusha style with a Malaysian twist.
They even had one Kenmeri on display – the first C110 Nissan Skyline I saw in Malaysia…
…and a cool FC3S Mazda RX-7 drop-top with camouflage print on BBS wheels.
As usual I had the tough task of nominating one car for the Speed chaser award. Ultimately, I chose this super clean Celica because of its style, execution and impressive engine compartment.
JDM and more
Most of the show was dedicated to modern classic Japanese cars, starting with this S13 Nissan Silvia with subtle widening and a beautiful engine compartment with serious wheel arches.
The Nissan range also included the popular A31 Cefiro, a staple of the Southeast Asian drift scene.
Not far away was an immaculate 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 rear wing risers and carbon-look Ganador mirrors.
Also in the Nissan camp was this sleek 180SX with transparent headlight covers and a modern drift look.
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 merchandise like the katakana window banner. They are so popular that I even saw replicas on random cars in Kuala Lumpur, including a taxi!
Check out this carbon-clad Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX – an iconic car in Malaysia – fitted with 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 got the chance to drive it into the venue during the opening ceremony of the event.
While the 997 represents a modern take on RWB style, there is something unique and special about Nakai’s air-cooled models. 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 with two special cars, the first this half-carbon Civic EK9 with K-swap…
…and the second, a Mugen-themed S660, showing what a great entry-level sports car it was. Too bad Honda stopped making them.
Another cool Honda built on the main show floor was this EG6. It reminded me of some of the Civics I see at Tsukuba time attack events.
I’ve seen Mitsubishi Mirages swapped with a Lancer Evo III 4G63 engine in Southeast Asia before, and this circa-1993 coupe was no exception. Somehow it just works!
I’ll close with this Mooneyes Thailand-built Camaro, adorned with the iconic yellow-on-black paint scheme that has defined the company since Dean Moon opened his fabrication shop in Santa Fe Springs in the 1950s.
I hope you enjoyed the highlights of 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
