Malaysia is swiftly emerging as a key destination for car enthusiasts in Southeast Asia, a transformation I’ve observed first-hand over the past ten years.
In 2014, Asep, the mastermind behind the Art of Speed event, invited me to check out his inaugural festival. At that time, I had no idea it would later evolve into the country’s largest celebration of cars and motorcycles, nor that I would find myself attending every subsequent year.
Now, here I am in 2024, ready to share highlights from an event that has come to represent Malaysian car culture. While countries like Indonesia and Thailand have established their unique modified car scenes early on, Malaysia has quickly caught up, forging its own distinctive path.
If you’re looking for evidence, just take a look at my coverage from the Art of Speed in 2014 and then scroll through the years to see how it has transformed over the past eleven shows.
What makes Malaysian car enthusiasts unique is their ability to gather inspiration from around the globe and create distinct styles. They are devoted to innovation, continuously honing their skills and their creations.
However, Malaysia truly stands out for its remarkable diversity. In fact, you wouldn’t find this level of variety even at the Tokyo Auto Salon, where the past is celebrated alongside the present. It’s not limited to just Japanese or German cars; it’s a tribute to everything.
At what other event could you stroll through a hall and see an Alfa Romeo 164 Quadrifoglio on O.Z. Racing wheels…
…only to be followed by an itasha-style kei truck…
…turn around to see an over-fendered Suzuki Vitara equipped with a snorkel…
…and end up drooling over a DTM-themed W201 Mercedes-Benz?
Given the variety present, it’s a challenge to adequately cover Art of Speed without presenting every single vehicle, as each stunning build has its own story to tell.
Nonetheless, I aimed to highlight some of the most impressive cars for this event coverage.
Let The Mix Begin
Let’s kick things off with an unusual combination – a fully customized Daihatsu Copen parked alongside a BMW E92 featuring an aggressive wide-body kit and deep-dish wheels.
Spotting an E36 M3 was a pleasant surprise.
Seeing local vehicles customized is always exciting, such as this Perodua, which is essentially a pickup version of a Daihatsu Mira.
The Honda community is also expanding in Malaysia, now showcasing classics such as the late ’80s and early ’90s EF Civic.
Vintage Japanese station wagons always captivate me, especially rare finds like the Datsun Sunny California.
Art of Speed is full of surprises, including this Toyota MR-S-based Modellista Caserta – one of just 150 made in the year 2000. The Caserta is a more refined variant of the MR-S, reminiscent of an ASL Garaya.
This year, Asep and his team featured several impressive air-cooled 911s. I’ve started to explore the local classic Porsche scene during my visits to Kuala Lumpur.
The 930 Turbo showcased a Wangan racer aesthetic with a TBK-style front bumper and integrated projector lights, sitting low on two-piece mesh wheels.
Alongside it stood a unique 911 with a tube rear bumper, echoing a Safari build. The custom titanium exhaust fabrication was impressive.
Then there was the electric yellow flachbau – a genuine RUF car featuring a complete engine overhaul and two modern turbos on full display.
This EG6 Honda Civic, imported from Thailand, was the most extreme version of its kind I have ever encountered. Although I didn’t get a glimpse of its engine setup, the striking exterior left a lasting impression.
The Back Wheels Bitches (BWB) crew presented an incredible display that fused kyusha style with a Malaysian twist.
They even displayed a Kenmeri – the first C110 Nissan Skyline I have come across in Malaysia…
…along with a stylish camo FC3S Mazda RX-7 convertible sitting on BBS wheels.
As usual, I faced the tough decision of selecting a single car for the Speedhunters Award. I ultimately chose this exceptionally sleek Celica for its remarkable style, execution, and impressive engine compartment.
JDM & More
A significant portion of the show was devoted to modern classic Japanese cars, starting with this S13 Nissan Silvia that boasts subtle widening and a striking engine bay featuring serious wheel tubs.
The Nissan display also included the widely popular A31 Cefiro, a cornerstone of Southeast Asia’s drifting community.
Nearby, a pristine BNR34 Nissan Skyline GT-R caught my eye, equipped with a Nismo Series 1 front bumper, R-Tune carbon hood, and Nismo side skirts for that complete Omori Factory aesthetic. Other highlights included Nismo LMGT4 wheels, carbon rear wing risers, and Ganador carbon-look mirrors.
Also on display from the Nissan lineup was a well-maintained 180SX, featuring transparent headlight covers and a contemporary drift-inspired aesthetic.
I have a soft spot for narrow-body R33 Skylines that sport the Pandem treatment, and this particular build was a faithful recreation of Jun Takahashi’s Hardcore Tokyo car. Such an impressive tribute!
It’s heartening to see fans of Speedhunters still sporting old merchandise, like the katakana window banners. Their popularity is such that I even noticed replicas on various cars around Kuala Lumpur, including a taxi!
Lastly, feast your eyes on this carbon-clad Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, a legendary car in Malaysia, equipped with RAYS Volk Racing TE37 SLs and an Endless big brake kit.
On a related note, Nakai-san visited Kuala Lumpur before AOS, presenting this 997 Turbo Cabriolet as one of his creations. I even had the opportunity to drive it around the venue during the event’s opening.
While the 997 showcases a modern perspective on RWB aesthetics, there’s an undeniable charm to Nakai’s air-cooled creations. I’m eager to hear your opinions on the new RWB 997 conversion; feel free to share in the comments!
Honda Fest Malaysia had its own showcase, featuring two notable cars: first, this half-carbon Civic EK9 with a K-swap…
…and the second, a Mugen-themed S660, which effectively showcased its potential as an excellent entry-level sports car. Too bad Honda has ceased production!
