Sweden Is Going To Melt Your Internet

Exactly one year ago Rod visited the Bilsport Performance & Custom Motor Show in Elmia, southern Sweden, and came away with a fist full of names and numbers which resulted in some of the most amazing feature cars we showed you in 2013. So this year we’re back – mob handed and hunting speed at full force. I’m writing this article from a work station in the heart of show and surrounded by some incredible builds. To my left there’s a 800hp Nissan Juke R; to my right a wild ’30s Chevy rod with BBS split rims. Elsewhere? Read on, because here’s a taste of what you can expect to see from this amazing gathering…

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (1 of 15)

Thursday was set up day and we’re working with the Oij Oij Society in a combined show stand space of 800m2. There’s plenty of room for all the ideas, spaces and of course, the cars we want to show. Fredric Aasbø will be here later on – fresh in from California and landing as we were rolling the Angry Bird V2 in and adding the finishing touches with some tire bomb action.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (14 of 15)

Peter Pentell was the next to arrive with his LaSupra. By now you probably will have seen the new Joy Of Machine livery, but last night it was still very much under wraps. Right now it’s sat the other side of our #MaximumAttack #IAmTheSpeedhunter film installation booth, which we have you guys to thank for making possible. We’ll be showing you a lot more here in an upcoming article and short film.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (2 of 15)

So what is Elmia? This is my first time at the show, so I’ve come here with many questions in my head. What’s going on? How big is it? What are the cars like? Already, I’m getting mentally knocked about by the variety of builds I’ve spotted and I’ll confess that these are only what I’ve seen on a very quick walk-around in between setting up.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (4 of 15)

So for example, you might pass by this Top Secret body kitted 350Z. The level of finish is high, the Advan wheels are cool… But what else? How about a VQ35 engine swap, complete with ProCharger and a whole load of other high-end kit like Tomei cams and Accralite forged pistons. It comes from northern Finland and the owner is claiming power levels of between 800-1500hp depending on boost levels and how much nitrous he wants to use! I asked him whether it was built for racing and was going to get a livery? He just smiled and said ‘no, trackdays and fun.’

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (5 of 15)

Our new Community Manager, Taryn, has just walked in. She’s fresh off the plane from New Zealand and I figured she might like this pair. It’s kind of odd, but she arrived right in the middle of writing that first line! This really is unfolding around me…

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (6 of 15)

Right now I’m itching to get back out and see more. There are proper hero cars here that I need to get back to, as well as all the others which will have arrived in the meantime. There’s a picture I have on a hard drive somewhere of an Audi Quattro S1 sliding through a forest in thick snow, this one. Just standing this close to something that has the potential to do such things makes my hair bristle.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (7 of 15)

As this is Sweden, obviously there are plenty of Volvos, which I’m a massive fan of. Over here they’re used for everything from daily duties to rallying, but don’t worry I’m not going to get too carried away. Not unless there’s good reason of course.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (8 of 15)

A super-clean exterior alone does not a feature car make.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (9 of 15)

But when I get closer and find that this 242 has a BMW M5-sourced V10 under the bonnet I thought you guys would appreciate it. Right? Instantly I’m transported back to last July and Gatebil at Rudskogen. The thing to remember with this part of the world is to expect the unexpected. Every time you should prepare to be amazed. Which reminds me, it’s probably quite a good time to mention that all-carbon RX-7 at the start of the article. That’s got a Nissan SR motor in it. Sacrilege? No, it’s from Finland.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (10 of 15)

Detail, detail everywhere! This Mk1 Golf had its cam cover removed to reveal the polished and detailed camshafts and head. That turbo? Gold plated. What you might not have noticed is that the driver’s side wing has been removed, along with the wheel, to show how deep the level of attention is.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (11 of 15)

Then of course there are those builds that you just can’t pin at first. You worked out this is a 996 Turbo-engined, all-carbon Porsche Cayman, yeah? Me too…

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (12 of 15)

So far I can’t think of a car type or genre that isn’t covered at this show. One hall here is completely turned over to American metal. If this was LA I might have expected to see this ’64 Impala wearing 13-inch Dayton wires and multiple hues of candy paint. Here it’s forced induction and Pro-Touring inspiration.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (13 of 15)

This early ’70s Coronet really stopped me in my tracks though. Picked up in Texas just over a year ago, it’s now got a complete ’06 Dodge Charger underneath it – from the Hemi motor to the full dashboard, suspension and brakes. The lot! It makes me hang my head low when I think about how unproductive I’ve been with my own project.

Opening day at Elmia Show Sweden (15 of 15)

So the skinny is, we’re here and we’ve got four full days ahead of us scouting out the metal and composite, blood, sweat and tears that will melt your internet in the coming months. So as much as I’ve enjoyed this guys, I’m off. For a start there’s this 2JZ-powered E30 BMW, plus somebody has just mentioned a bunch of period hot rods and a fully air brushed articulated lorry dedicated to Madonna. Now that I just have to see!

Bryn Musselwhite
Instagram: speedhunters_Bryn
bryn@speedhunters.com

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1

#becausescandinavia

2

Welcome to Sweden, enjoy your stay. :)

3

Oh. Oh my. I'll have whatever they're having.

By the way, 350Z's came stock with the VQ35. Typo?

4

VQ35 swapped 350z with a ProCharger and nitrous making 800-1500hp doesn't quite add
up...  Hoping its just a case of "lost in translation" and we'll find a VR38DETT nestled neatly under the hood.  Look forward to more photos from
the show!

5
Seeking Perfection

''A super-clean exterior does not a feature car make.'' This does not even make sense, but BEFORE the moderator also known as Mr. Constipated does not censor my comment again, I just want to state very clearly that I approve this post and I am eager to see as many full features as possible from this motor show (with the all-carbon RX7 and the 2JZ-powered E30 BMW being my top preferences). Thanks for the coverage, Bryn and I surely cannot wait for the next part.

6
Seeking Perfection

''A super-clean exterior does not a feature car make.'' This does not
even make sense, but BEFORE the moderator also known as Mr. Constipated
censors my comment again, I just want to state very clearly that
I approve this post and I am eager to see as many full features as
possible from this motor show (with the all-carbon RX7 and the
2JZ-powered E30 BMW being my top preferences). Thanks for the coverage,
Bryn and I surely cannot wait for the next part.

7

@Seeking Perfection  I think he probably meant to say 'A super-clean exterior ALONE does not a feature car make.'
 meaning it takes more than pristine bodywork and paint to be worthy of a SH feature.

8

Love it all. Can't wait to learn more about the cayman!

9

@Seeking Perfection  Yes, robzor's right, should be an 'alone' in there, which there is now :)

10

Is there nothing that the Scandinavians don't do full-tilt?
that's a '69 Coronet by the way

11

Damn.Too many goodies in one place!Let me see more!

I'm kidding...goodies are never too many! Especially these kind of goodies.

12

I've seen that 2JZ E30 before.  I'd love to see a feature on it and find out what the details of the build are!

13

definitely going to need a whole bunch of Volvo features.

14

feature on the 2JZ e30 for the love of god!

15

Carbon Cayman pleaseee.....!!!!!!!! Also Volvo too.....^_^

16

a 350z with a vq35 engine? wow!

17

Full feature on the Valtonen Motorsports RX7 is not negotiable! It looks made of pure awesome!

18

I wouldn't consider myself a pro in this, but 350Zs came with VQ35 from the factory, no?

19

Do not miss the SuperAmazon standing near the 240 with M5 V10. This streached white Volvo Amazon has a BMW V8 with turbo and a 4wd drivetrain from Skyline GTR R32. It really is an awesome creation!

20

Hmm... Don't forget to feature the Juke-R. Is it Swedish made? :)

21
Speedhunters_Bryn

SeBaBunea  It's actually Russian built and I'm planning a special trip there at the end of May, there will be Juke-R content!

22
Speedhunters_Bryn

Wooohooo  WHAT? I must have been distracted by the 242. I am going there now, promise. Do you know the owner?

23
Speedhunters_Bryn

jay8393  It was a breakdown in comms, I'll correct it now :)

24
Speedhunters_Bryn

mbretschneider  Plans are being made. I will not fail you!

25
Speedhunters_Bryn

@boron  I know. Whudathunkit ;)

26
Speedhunters_Bryn

@Kart Works  You'll be seeing more of both :)

27
Speedhunters_Bryn

Wooohooo  That was well worth the walk down there, kick ass! Picture on our instagram feed now.

28
Speedhunters_Bryn

JDM_Luca  I'm compiling a list of features now and it looks like a bunch of random car based words put together in combinations you wouldn't expect!

29
Speedhunters_Bryn

Lightning071  Thanks for the info, I was trying to play it safe with a '70/71!

30
Speedhunters_Bryn

robzor  From the front you'd never guess what it is, incredible build.

31
Speedhunters_Bryn

@Seeking Perfection  I blame the music, sleep deprivation and the fact I sometimes seem to write like a 17th century English person would talk doesn't help! I'll promise to do a better job on the features :)

32
Speedhunters_Bryn

MatsKarlsson  It's a wonderful place to be, thank you!

33
JoshuaWhitcombe

Speedhunters_Bryn  it does make sense in a way, it is just an older way of speaking

34

Speedhunters_Bryn SeBaBuneaOh my God! Great news! 
Speaking of Juke-R, there is a Qashqai-R in UK, built by Severnvalley Motorsport. The project belongs to them! I think that is something worth checking out and making a feature maybe?

Can't wait!

35

I have debated making a 240 wagon my next project. Need more photos of that red coupe.

36

Just drooled.... a lot

37

That Volvo with M5 V10 :D Made my day

38

Take a look at the rc drift track in the B-hall, I think you'll find it pretty cool :)

39

Need to get to this next year, looks fantastic!

40

and melted it is...

41

Wow! Those crazy Swedes are still going strong it seems. Some really awesome looking machines.

42
Honeydew Cottage

And I alone can surely not wait for untold pithy Volvo content... Verily!

43

Speedhunters_Bryn Wooohooo  
Here it is:
http://forum.savarturbo.se/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=77709
Looking forward to a Speedhunter feature on this. =)

44

Nice stuff! Hope to see that rx7 at a time attack.se event this year. We need a more serious time attack organizer in Norway. Sweden is doing it right. I like what we do to cars  in Scandinavia. Not a stupid camber angle in sight:-)

45

That Cayman is a baby 918 of some sorts. Looking forward to see how they got that 991 bumper grafted on there.

46

Please, please, please give us more on that Coronet and/or Malibu

47

Don't miss Alex's BMW at the PDS booth!

48

Ah! Coronet!!! I want!!! I want!!!
Nice article, and all carbon porsche? I'll take one please.

49

All those sweet Volvo 240s! I think I'm gonna cry...

50
Speedhunters_Bryn

jonas maurstad  It's headed for Kinnekulle ring on the 10th of May :)

51
Speedhunters_Bryn

Derelict  They're based near the artic circle in Norway, so that's where we'll shoot it!

52
Speedhunters_Bryn

wheatgod  It is amazing, I'm making plans to shoot it at a track so we can get some good action!

53
Speedhunters_Bryn

oneslyfox  Details noted and photoshoot to arrange on the Coronet :)

54
Speedhunters_Bryn

Wildcardfox We'll be hopefully shooting both for full features over the summer :)

55
Speedhunters_Bryn

hityoutwo  I know... Me too :)

56

thought that was a 918 at first!

57

E30 2J getting a feature? Been following it for a while! Mad thing.

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