The Best Of Europe & The United States At MADE

We’ve already walked through the Dubai show a couple of times together, first focusing on the Japanese metal and then what showed up outside the event. But there’s still significantly more to cover from what was one of the most surprising events I’ve been to in a while.

I do have a small confession to make: I’m probably not showing you everything, nor have I ever shown you everything from the countless events I’ve covered over the years. There’s a good reason for it, and I’m certainly not alone here. But naturally, I’m only showing you what I choose to see at any given event. This and the previous stories are essentially MADE through my eyes.

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Whether this is a good or bad thing will be up to each one of you to decide, but I will say that while I always try to bring you as much as possible, it’s natural that I’m going to be attracted to cars and approaches which appeal to me the most.

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I’ve always said that cars are always best experienced in person, to ensure you get to see what you want to see, so I guess this is just another reason to encourage you to attend events yourself. Not even Speedhunters can perfectly replicate what it’s like to attend, although we certainly do try.

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As an example of this, I generally shy away from modern American cars for the most part. It’s not because I don’t like them, but it’s because I can’t really relate to them.

With the exception of the Mustang, none of the other headline performance and sports cars from the US are available to me in Ireland, so I just simply don’t concern myself with them. And why would I? Especially when there are countless Japanese and European cars available to me.

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That’s the beauty of shows like MADE that strive to achieve equal qualitative representation across all automotive sub-cultures. It’s tapas, but for cars. Small tasters of everything to help you to see more, learn more, and appreciate more of our motoring world, but only if you’re open to it.

Honestly though, I wouldn’t know why anyone wouldn’t want more cars in their life, even if they’re difficult to relate to. At the very least, there’s always fresh inspiration to be found by expanding your borders.

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When I was planning this trip, I don’t think I ever expected to be so impressed by a relatively small and free-to-attend show. Despite being only MADE’s second year running, it’s incredible to see how quickly the organisers have been able to dial in on what they want to achieve.

It’s not as easy as it looks, and it’s far more than just sending out some invites and arranging a space.

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I didn’t expect to be so impressed by MADE, but I was. I also hadn’t counted on this gathering forming the basis of the rest of my trip to the United Arab Emirates, from potential feature cars to shops, and most importantly, to people. But it did.

Sometimes you don’t need to hunt the speed, you can just let it come to you. But you need to be open to all of it.

Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com

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1

Loooove the Mk7 Golf R's.

Great pics as usual Paddy.

Josh

2

I wouldn’t know why anyone wouldn’t want more cars in their life,
I couldn't agree more.

3

that green mk2 has some cool mods.
Great collection per usual.

4

Thanks for the excellent coverage of an interesting show.

Somebody must've spent many finger-bleeding days with a looooong sanding board to get that Cadillac's doors, fenders & quarters flat and aligned so beautifully.

5

Normally don't have an issue with any articles on here. Normally it's the comment section that's annoying. However, you really can't title the article "The Best of Europe & The United States" then proceed to share pictures that are 98% BMW, 1% other euro models, and 1% american cars. I'm not really sure how that works out.

The pictures are great don't get me wrong but share something other than the BMWs we see modified constantly at every show any of us readers or you writers attend. They're so common. Like that SRT-300C would have been neat to see a side picture of, don't see them in a wide-body very often. That yellow shop-truck was cool too. So was the green Challenger we only got about 2 or so pictures of amidst the sea of BMW.

Author6

It's a fair point, Michael. I wasn't purposely trying to minimise the US coverage, and I'm sure I featured every US car in attendance at least once, but I'll admit to circling around to some of my favourite Euro cars a couple of times.

It wasn't a huge show, and I think the coverage reflects the balance of the cars in attendance quite well but I'll try put more focus on the US stuff next time around.

7

'With the exception of the Mustang, none of the other headline performance and sports cars from the US are available to me in Ireland, so I just simply don’t concern myself with them. And why would I? Especially when there are countless Japanese and European cars available to me.' So the author edits his pics and presents his personal view of the US cars and the many Euro cars at MADE. There's also a JDM-led piece if that's your thang. The UAE, GCC and Kuwaiti modified car scenes are predominantly based on US imports. To find so many top Euro cars in one venue out here is indeed rare and easily worthy of a 'biased' feature in my opinion.

8

Never going to happen. This site is great at what it does, but it gears towards a certain audience. That audience appreciates Japanese and European car culture more. Unfortunately, that tends to be the theme with people my age ( 29 ) and younger ( The people on the net all day ). And I really think it's because of how rigid the old american car culture is. How unwilling to change they are. As a young person looking for a chill car group to hang out with, that is gonna not judge you for being outside of the box, you're going to end up in the Honda or Dub crowd. Because you will feel included regardless. Muscle car guys like to only be around muscle car guys. Talk cubic inches and about the same shit til it gets stale.

Personally I've owned two g-body's a 78 Monte, and an 87 Monte SS. A 95 2 door tahoe with a 5 speed, and now a 97 Z28. All my friends were Dub kids, and i just tagged along because they had the most fun. Shows were more entertaining. They were more inviting. I'm stuck in the middle. I love American cars, all I've ever owned. ( All I usually fit in, I'm 6'7" ) But i'm also in love with aggressive aero, and that time attack look. If I ever get the funds to merge the 2 I will get crucified by my community. Because they can only get excited about a Sunset Orange Metallic WS6 on Welds...

Sorry for the rant. But my point is that the scene just doesn't favor american cars, not going to change anytime soon. It makes me sad everyday when I refresh and the new article has a cover photo of another R33 or E30, but I'm a fan of all car culture, and it just means every time a picture of a Camaro or some American Monster shows up it's all that much better.

9

15 out of 78 (or 19.2%) of the photos were of American cars. Like Paddy said at the beginning of the article, it's what gets his attention that gets shot. Feel free to fly out there next year on your own dime and shoot only American cars.

10

It didn't have to get that specific. but that's a super small percentage and the rest are BMW and other euro models. So my point still stands. I get it, I didn't complain about the article and I did read that part surprisingly enough. However at least give attention to more of the American stuff. Not all of us care to stare at BMWs the whole day when that's what a vast majority of the aftermarket scene is and car shows contain. It was just my 2 cents mange.

11

I agree with you Michael. I enjoy speedhunters but lately is is almost entirely European cars. There is nothing wrong with American muscle (late model or new). I have spoken up about this before and have been chastised for it. Any of you remember "Project Yankee"? That was American muscle with a mix of JMD and it was so cool and refreshing but all we ever seem to now get here is anything but American.

12

Matt, you must be one of those JDM guys I was talking about! You will notice that stories on here serm to come in bunches. 3 stories about Japanese car shows and then a few about European cars. I like the way the writers and photographers mix it up personally! I am a pretty reasonable guy but I personally do not get the whole JDM obsession. I am German car guy for life! So each person likes what they like. Just glad there is a site like this.

13

Man I love these cars!

14

Man the Coronavirus is getting crazy!
Hopefully, a cure comes soon so that we don't have to miss out seeing these great cars!

15

That white 1M replica is on point. Great looking car.

16

Paddy I know those JDM guys think Japanese cars rule the world but when the big boys show up, it is German-time! Love those cars and the pics! I am buying a shirt that says "GDM". German Domestic Market. My neighbor has an E46 M3 and I have seen him eat up a whole bunch of wannabees. Great show! Great shots! Love that grey Beetle! How come you didn't get the whole car?! Check out topgearandcoffee.com. This show is coming up in June in New Jersey. 7 Sennas were there last year! This show is no joke! Hope you can get to the states to film it!

17

Paddy my bad! I see the pic of the Beetle. That baby is old but classic. JERRY Seinfeld owns the very 1st Beetle that came into the US. I hate that guy.(ha ha)

18

Need more angles of the Chrysler 300. That thing looks so mean!

19

Refreshing to have a feature without a JDM bias...

20

KU8KARS:

See my comment above! I TOTALLY agree with your comment.

21
Federico Barutto

I usually don’t like slammed-to-the-ground cars, but that ‘66 Cadillac....
Absolutely awesome! It’s my favorite car on this article! And that roof chop is perfection. I always liked the ‘66 styling: sharp, straight lines, enormous hood and trunk, and still tailfins.

22

Paddy, you don't/didn't need concern yourself with the lack of performance cars from the U.S. I grew up with REAL muscle cars in the late 70's. The "retro" muscle cars are a joke! Dodge thinks they are such badasses with those Chargers and Hemis. They need to stop! BMWs, Audis, VWs, AMG, Porsche, etc. Are the REAL muscle cars now. Some young dude in a hemi tried to race my nieghhor with his E46 M3 the other day. That was a waste of fuel! My neighbor spanked his ass and hit 135MPH in less than 10 seconds! He's done 160 in sport mode multiple times. I laugh at these old white guys and young dudes who drive these Dodges and think the can beat any car on the planet. Including Konegsiggs. Bunch of morons! We have Youtube and yet they are still stupid! Boba motoring has a 1200HP MKII GTI. Pretty sure it will whup a Dodge Charger. Thank God I can read! American muscle cars? Not any more. German muscle cars? Absolutely!

23

The Dodge's are in their own category, as they have decided to only go in a straight line. You can't say the same about the vette, camaro, and even know the higher end mustangs. Price vs performance, they easily stack up and surpass most stuff from Europe, even creeping in on the lower end supercars. Look up some lap times for the most recent Z28. Obviously GM interiors have always been questionable. So if a luxurious interior is worth 50k to you then sure, buy German. But a blanket statement saying all American cars can't compete is wrong.

24

Kyle I hear what you're saying but since I grew up with the REAL muscle cars I don't even consider those cars you mentioned! And they 're not $25K either. I HATE ford worse than any manuf. Zsince one of my neighbors dad worked there when I was a kid. The rest of us had Chevys. Z28s. Chevelles. Novas. Corvettes. Camaros. These fake retro muscle cars may handle pretty but they won't out handle German cars stock. Yeah the new Vette is nice but how big is the engine? 6 liters? It shouldush 600hp! The German car is 3 liters and pushes 500 HP but gets good gas mileage. Win win. I only consider pre-73 American cars as American muscle. After that you can keep it unless it's from Germany. Porsche vs new Camaro. Pointless! Wish you had grown up in my neighborhood in Jersey. We had a blast. Neighbor had a bunch of
Vettes. Now he has a Bimmer. Ask him which one he thinks is better! 'Nuff said!

25

I mean, you're just flat our wrong lol Look up the fastest road legal Nurburgring lap times and look at how many supercars, Porsches, European Monsters the 70k Z28 1LE Camaro walks around that track... And you're just going to completely neglect that European cars get that much Horsepower because they're all Turbo but American are N/A? Turbo is obviously the way of the future. Gas regulations are going to force it to be that way. But you have to understand their primary customer base wants what they know N/A V8's. Just look at the backlash on the new C8 even though it is AMAZING for 60 grand...

26

Did I see a BMW Z4 shooting brake?

27

No. Z3M Coupe. Very nice...

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