Body kits have always been a popular modification. The rise in popularity for flared fenders coupled with nose scraping air suspension was very evident at TAS 2017. Liberty Walk (aka LB Performance) were one of the early pioneers of this style. Founder, Wataru Kato-san, unveiled their latest demo car on the Friday morning, a battleship-grey Ferrari 488 GTB wearing the signature Liberty Walk kit. Check out the Aventador front cut (complete with LB fenders) DJ booth and fish tank table! Swag. Note the ~$1,380 AUD price tag of the matte-black 1:18 scale LB Aventador model and in true Lamborghini fashion, it’s sold out.
The admirable trait of Tokyo Auto Salon and the Japanese aftermarket culture is that everything is welcomed as at the end of the day, modified cars are an extension and expression of one’s personality. Check out some of the unique expressions below. The Swarovski engulfed pair of Mercedes SL600 from Garson were mesmerising and if that wasn’t enough, Nakagawa applied the same treatment to their Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster. Photos do not capture at all, the immense and hypnotising sparkles emitted from the thousands of crystals layered onto the bodywork of the German and Italian.
Unintentionally chilling with Ultraman in the elevator.
Cars of non-Japanese origin were plentiful at TAS 2017; all modified of course. It was cool to see Shinichi Morohoshi’s brand, Fighting Star (which specialises in Lamborghini tuning) in person. This is the dude that in 2013, caused a stir with Lamborghini during their 50th Anniversary tour in Italy for revving his motor and playing The Godfather theme via air-horns from his Aventador to the delight of the public. His yellow Pikachu-themed Aventandor is pictured below.
Speaking of the exotic fighting-bull themed manufacture, TAS 2017 demonstrated that Japanese tuners are undoubtedly fond of the Lamborghini brand. Numerous examples were scattered throughout the Makuhari Messe.
Bumped into fellow Aussie, Allen Lorenzo, former head of International Sales & Marketing Manager at Tomei Powered. I would love to cover his Run Free-kitted AE86 one day.
There were various off-show entertainment occurring throughout the event, including live performances by over a dozen Japanese music artists such as Do As Infinity and Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen sensation, Pikotaro. Further entertainment included rally and Super GT demonstrations but I stood around for all of 10 minutes before getting bored of not seeing anything.
Toyo Tires had both an in-door and out-door booth. Pictured below was the latter, also home to some of the exhibition-lap cars. They also had some OG race cars on display as well as a carbon bodied open-wheeler that Orido-san drove.
Next up in the TAS 2017 sub-series, I’ll dive into the exhibits from the Japanese OEM manufactures including their in-house tuning arms.
