All Night Long: M&l Party???

In yesterday’s post I tried to give you guys a sense of the madness and sensory overload that was the 2013 M&L Party. Today I’d like to continue with some additional scenes and observations from this late night extravaganza on the Osaka harbor front.

Because I had spent the entire day beforehand shooting at Osaka Auto Messe, I was feeling a little exhausted by the time midnight rolled around. At a certain point, everything started to blur together and I felt like I was in a dream state. Isn’t that the case with a lot of our best memories?

With the popularity of USDM style at an all-time high in Japan, plenty of cars at the M&L Party were done with a heavy American influence. This One-Via from Nagano Koubou in particular takes its inspiration from the 808 State.

This 50 series Toyota Crown was also done with a strong Hawaiian vibe. It looks like the owner affixed a minitruck rear bumper to the back of the car. Interesting as the rear bumper for my own Crown Wagon is severely damaged and I’ve been thinking of ways to replace it…

While there were lots of USDM style machines that came out, there was an equally large number of “purely Japanese” vehicles. It doesn’t get much more Japanese that a pink metal flakeed “big scooter” with an Advan wheel in the back.

Another thing you probably won’t find outside of Japan is a car built as a rolling shrine to pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki. There was actually a whole group of Hamasaki super fans that brought out their custom vehicles.

One of the kei cars even had an Ayu-themed pachinko machine mounted in the back. Only in Japan.

The diverse group of cars also included a decent selection of traditional Japanese Showa era machines, like this simple and clean AE86 Levin riding on Longchamps.

Another nostalgic machine that showed up was this tough F31 Nissan Leopard. If this car were mine I’d leave it just like this, but add a red light on top and roll around Abunai Deka style!

How about a GX71? This one was very clean and original looking, save for a healthy drop and set of Mk.IIIs to provide the right attitude.

I didn’t have the time to really break down every vehicle that came out, but at a glance the spread between different genres seemed very even. It goes without saying that the custom van scene had a strong representation.

Each time you’d hear the sound of chassis touching the ground, look over and see some sort of slammed creation (in this case a Honda Odyssey) rolling through.

It’s a bit strange I know, but I love old boxy vans like this dropped Nissan Homy. Just the fact that it’s called “Homy” is reason enough to get a thumbs-up, right?

Another “old” van. Dig the old school Econo plates, which classic Volkswagen fans will surely know the significance of…

The kei cars also came out rolling just as low as their bigger, white-plated counterparts.

It was a chilly night in Osaka, but not cold enough to deter the owner of this Eunos Roadster from running top down. The wide Enkei 92s make for an aggressive look.

It seems you can’t go anywhere in Japan these days without running into a few modified Toyota 86s, and the M&L Party was no exception.

The VIP selection at this meet alone was worthy enough to be its own separate event, but on this night they were just one part of the giant custom car sea.

Of the VIP cars, the venerable Toyota Crown seemed to be the most popular. Here’s a 200-chassis model with a mad stance and copius amounts of negative camber.

Another Crown, this one a GRS180 set on black TE37s. The Crown may be a luxury car first and foremost, but the “sporty” TEs manage to look right at home here.

Let’s not forget the long roof Estate version of the Crown either. I’ve heard this one actually serves as a Kanjo racer support vehicle…

Keen eyes will recognize this JZX100 Mark II from my Auto Messe parking lot coverage. Here’s what the same car looks like in full night mode.

There’s low, and then there’s low. This S14 Silvia is most definitley the latter.

A Volvo wagon? Not expected, but very cool to see.

Another one of the cars that brought home an M&L Party award was this Mini Cooper S. I enjoyed the concept of a European base car done with a blend of both US and Japanese custom elements.

The words “bright yellow Nissan Cube” might raise a few eyebrows on paper, but when you actually see the car it all starts to make sense.

One of the craziest R32 Skylines I’ve ever seen – and a perfect car to sum up the wild, no rules nature of the M&L Party.

While the event lasted for around four hours or so in total, with so much to see it seemed even shorter than that. Around one or two in the morning, the hundreds of cars began to head out. With just two exit gates the lines were long, but nobody seemed to mind.

Normally at this hour these streets would be completely deserted, but now they were packed with modified cars making their way home after a night of fun.

It was already past 2:00am, but my adventures were not yet over. After this, we would head out to rendezvous with some of Osaka’s notorious Kanjo racers, but you’ll have to wait until next week to see that.

A huge thanks goes out to all of the participants and especially the M&L Party organizers and volunteer staff for their dedication and warm hospitality. I can’t wait until next year!

-Mike

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1

沙发~!

2

沙发~!

3

沙发~!

4

沙发~!

5

沙发~!

6

沙发~!

7

I want to see more angles of the 240 in the first pic please!!!!

8

I want to see more angles of the 240 in the first pic please!!!!

9

I want to see more angles of the 240 in the first pic please!!!!

10

I want to see more angles of the 240 in the first pic please!!!!

11

I want to see more angles of the 240 in the first pic please!!!!

12

I want to see more angles of the 240 in the first pic please!!!!

13

The white GX71...awesome.
Great pics Mike.

14

The white GX71...awesome.
Great pics Mike.

15

The white GX71...awesome.
Great pics Mike.

16

The white GX71...awesome.
Great pics Mike.

17

The white GX71...awesome.
Great pics Mike.

18

The white GX71...awesome.
Great pics Mike.

19

HIGH RES of pic29 of the Crown Athlete PLEASEEE!!!!

20

HIGH RES of pic29 of the Crown Athlete PLEASEEE!!!!

21

HIGH RES of pic29 of the Crown Athlete PLEASEEE!!!!

22

HIGH RES of pic29 of the Crown Athlete PLEASEEE!!!!

23

HIGH RES of pic29 of the Crown Athlete PLEASEEE!!!!

24

808 kick drum 808 clap

25

808 kick drum 808 clap

26

808 kick drum 808 clap

27

808 kick drum 808 clap

28

808 kick drum 808 clap

29

808 kick drum 808 clap

30

808 kick drum 808 clap

31

808 kick drum, 808 hat
808 snare drum, 808 clap
Got an 808 this and an 808 that
Got an 808 boom and an 808 bap

32

808 kick drum, 808 hat
808 snare drum, 808 clap
Got an 808 this and an 808 that
Got an 808 boom and an 808 bap

33

808 kick drum, 808 hat
808 snare drum, 808 clap
Got an 808 this and an 808 that
Got an 808 boom and an 808 bap

34

808 kick drum, 808 hat
808 snare drum, 808 clap
Got an 808 this and an 808 that
Got an 808 boom and an 808 bap

35

808 kick drum, 808 hat
808 snare drum, 808 clap
Got an 808 this and an 808 that
Got an 808 boom and an 808 bap

36

808 kick drum, 808 hat
808 snare drum, 808 clap
Got an 808 this and an 808 that
Got an 808 boom and an 808 bap

37

808 kick drum, 808 hat
808 snare drum, 808 clap
Got an 808 this and an 808 that
Got an 808 boom and an 808 bap

38

I want more of that R32!

39

I want more of that R32!

40

I want more of that R32!

41

I want more of that R32!

42

I want more of that R32!

43

I want more of that R32!

44

I want more of that R32!

45

Love the way you lined up that gx71 next an evo(?) Really messed with me for a second

46

Love the way you lined up that gx71 next an evo(?) Really messed with me for a second

47

Love the way you lined up that gx71 next an evo(?) Really messed with me for a second

48

Love the way you lined up that gx71 next an evo(?) Really messed with me for a second

49

Love the way you lined up that gx71 next an evo(?) Really messed with me for a second

50

Love the way you lined up that gx71 next an evo(?) Really messed with me for a second

51

Love the way you lined up that gx71 next an evo(?) Really messed with me for a second

52

kanjo coverage! never thought i would see the day but i'm really looking forward to seeing this

53

kanjo coverage! never thought i would see the day but i'm really looking forward to seeing this

54

kanjo coverage! never thought i would see the day but i'm really looking forward to seeing this

55

kanjo coverage! never thought i would see the day but i'm really looking forward to seeing this

56

kanjo coverage! never thought i would see the day but i'm really looking forward to seeing this

57

kanjo coverage! never thought i would see the day but i'm really looking forward to seeing this

58

kanjo coverage! never thought i would see the day but i'm really looking forward to seeing this

59

Could I import a suzuki alto works to california?! Those things are really cool

60

Could I import a suzuki alto works to california?! Those things are really cool

61

Could I import a suzuki alto works to california?! Those things are really cool

62

Could I import a suzuki alto works to california?! Those things are really cool

63

Could I import a suzuki alto works to california?! Those things are really cool

64

Could I import a suzuki alto works to california?! Those things are really cool

65

Could I import a suzuki alto works to california?! Those things are really cool

66

Was that a snowmobile in the picture with the white (Daihatsu?) key car?

67

Was that a snowmobile in the picture with the white (Daihatsu?) key car?

68

Was that a snowmobile in the picture with the white (Daihatsu?) key car?

69

Was that a snowmobile in the picture with the white (Daihatsu?) key car?

70

Was that a snowmobile in the picture with the white (Daihatsu?) key car?

71

Was that a snowmobile in the picture with the white (Daihatsu?) key car?

72

Was that a snowmobile in the picture with the white (Daihatsu?) key car?

73

Look at that negative camber. I would rather try climbing a ladder using only my nipples than try to drive these pieces of shit.

74

Look at that negative camber. I would rather try climbing a ladder using only my nipples than try to drive these pieces of shit.

75

Look at that negative camber. I would rather try climbing a ladder using only my nipples than try to drive these pieces of shit.

76

Look at that negative camber. I would rather try climbing a ladder using only my nipples than try to drive these pieces of shit.

77

Look at that negative camber. I would rather try climbing a ladder using only my nipples than try to drive these pieces of shit.

78

Look at that negative camber. I would rather try climbing a ladder using only my nipples than try to drive these pieces of shit.

79

Thanks Mike posted my car! I was destroyed by bumper was too low down in the car when you leave this meeting. Thank you when you meet at the event also.

80

Thanks Mike posted my car! I was destroyed by bumper was too low down in the car when you leave this meeting. Thank you when you meet at the event also.

81

Thanks Mike posted my car! I was destroyed by bumper was too low down in the car when you leave this meeting. Thank you when you meet at the event also.

82

More pictures of the crazy R32 and the first S13 please. Those were the bomb.Also, really looking forward to that Kanjo post!

83

More pictures of the crazy R32 and the first S13 please. Those were the bomb.Also, really looking forward to that Kanjo post!

84

More pictures of the crazy R32 and the first S13 please. Those were the bomb.Also, really looking forward to that Kanjo post!

85

More pictures of the crazy R32 and the first S13 please. Those were the bomb.Also, really looking forward to that Kanjo post!

86
MariusEngenSkinnes

@Asger I agree!

87
MariusEngenSkinnes

@Asger I agree!

88
MariusEngenSkinnes

@Asger I agree!

89
MariusEngenSkinnes

@Asger I agree!

90

more on first silvia and  50 series Toyota Crown please!!!

91

more on first silvia and  50 series Toyota Crown please!!!

92

more on first silvia and  50 series Toyota Crown please!!!

93

more on first silvia and  50 series Toyota Crown please!!!

94

i want to see the rear taillights turned on for the first silvia.... those look like some sort of led conversion.

95

i want to see the rear taillights turned on for the first silvia.... those look like some sort of led conversion.

96

i want to see the rear taillights turned on for the first silvia.... those look like some sort of led conversion.

97

i want to see the rear taillights turned on for the first silvia.... those look like some sort of led conversion.

98

Cant wait for the Kanjo post!

99

Cant wait for the Kanjo post!

100

Cant wait for the Kanjo post!

101

Cant wait for the Kanjo post!

102

@crypticsage I think they look really nice =)

Author103

@Asger I'm not sure how many more photos, but I'm planning to meet up with the guys from Team Review (black 180SX) the next time in Japan. I think you guys will enjoy the Kanjo stuff!

Author104

If only there was more time to get a close look at ALL of these cars. Haha.

Author105

@Ben Scales Coming soon!

Author106

@NaganoKoubou Thank you! Destroyed bumper is shakotan life!

Author107

@JohnSmith30 Different strokes.

Author108

Haha. It looks like it! Just a crazy scooter I think.

Author109

@Brad_S Not very easily I'm afraid...

Author110

@that4AGsound Haha. That was totally random actually. There was also a really cool JZX100 parked on the other side of the Evo just to make things more crazy.

Author111

@jzx81 Thank you!

112

MORE OF THAT R32 !

113

@crypticsage If I'm not mistaken those are the same ones Ryan Tuerck has on his 1jz s13. They're pretty common actually.

114

@crypticsage If I'm not mistaken those are the same ones Ryan Tuerck has on his 1jz s13. They're pretty common actually.

115

@crypticsage If I'm not mistaken those are the same ones Ryan Tuerck has on his 1jz s13. They're pretty common actually.

116

@Mike Garrett I swear I would love a kei car. I highly doubt I'll fit at 6'5, but I want one so bad

117

@Mike Garrett I swear I would love a kei car. I highly doubt I'll fit at 6'5, but I want one so bad

118

@Mike Garrett I swear I would love a kei car. I highly doubt I'll fit at 6'5, but I want one so bad

119

@Ben Scales Same here.

120

@Ben Scales Same here.

121

@Ben Scales Same here.

122

@777 Speedhunters did a number of kanjo features in the past, where have you been?

123

@777 Speedhunters did a number of kanjo features in the past, where have you been?

124

@777 Speedhunters did a number of kanjo features in the past, where have you been?

125

@apex_DNA they have, but it's mostly of the cars or the people behind it, not the actual racing or meets themselves

126

@apex_DNA they have, but it's mostly of the cars or the people behind it, not the actual racing or meets themselves

127

@apex_DNA they have, but it's mostly of the cars or the people behind it, not the actual racing or meets themselves

128
BryanDanielRodriguez

more of that S13!

129
BryanDanielRodriguez

more of that S13!

130
BryanDanielRodriguez

more of that S13!

131

thats it, im building a kei van tribute to justin beiber.
 
new trend pioneer right there.

132

thats it, im building a kei van tribute to justin beiber.
 
new trend pioneer right there.

133

thats it, im building a kei van tribute to justin beiber.
 
new trend pioneer right there.

139

@Asger I have been trying to find more of the R32 but can't to save my life.  It was featured in some mags here a little while ago but despite that I still am coming up with nothing.

140

@Asger I have been trying to find more of the R32 but can't to save my life.  It was featured in some mags here a little while ago but despite that I still am coming up with nothing.

141

@Asger I have been trying to find more of the R32 but can't to save my life.  It was featured in some mags here a little while ago but despite that I still am coming up with nothing.

142

@Asger I have been trying to find more of the R32 but can't to save my life.  It was featured in some mags here a little while ago but despite that I still am coming up with nothing.

Author143

@weasel Hahah. Awesome!

Author144

@weasel Hahah. Awesome!

Author145

@weasel Hahah. Awesome!

Author146

@weasel Hahah. Awesome!

Author147

@weasel Hahah. Awesome!

148

is undercarrage lighting back in style?

Author149

@hanablemoore I don't think it ever went out of style in Japan haha.

150

@hanablemoore This is Japan - EVERYTHING is in style. While you JDM fanboys go thru trends like some fashion whores, these guys enjoy their cars no matter how gaudy and tacky those modifications can seem to a Westerner.

151

@Asger Check it out!
 
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr112/jasianblazin/LowSkyline2.jpg
 
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr112/jasianblazin/LowSkyline31.jpg
 
Not sure if it's the same one but the styling is very similar. Different colours but other than that it looks identical

152

That R32 is LFA-esque. Oh yes. I saw that. XD

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