Last weekend, I visited the charming city of Lahti, Finland. After a quick ferry ride from Tallinn, Estonia, and a motorway dash from Helsinki, I arrived at Lahti Harbour, eager to dive into what I truly believe is Northern Europe’s premier stance show: Fitted Fest 2024.

Organized by Niko Aaltonen and Antti Eskeli, founders of CDLC.CO, Fitted Fest has been a highlight on my car show calendar since its inception. This year marked its debut as a two-day event.

The show area stretched between the stunning Sibelius Concert Hall and the scenic Vesijärvi Harbor. With over 250 cars invited from Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and beyond, excitement was palpable.

Inside the concert hall, around 20 hand-selected cars headlined the event. The magnificent wooden architecture added an air of sophistication to the showcase.

I’ll take a closer look at this wild VW Bus in an upcoming spotlight.

While motorcycles aren’t usually featured on Speedhunters, some of the two-wheeled creations on display were genuinely impressive.

Outside, the car parks were a constant hive of activity. With space for roughly 200 entered vehicles, the variety was remarkable. Everything from sleek European lightweights to classic American lowriders and race cars showcased the creativity of the European custom car scene. The quality of the builds was amazing too.

As I wandered among the rows of cars, it was evident that Fitted Fest had once again raised the bar.

Every car show has its ‘highlights,’ but in the North, they can be delightfully unconventional. Take this R32 Nissan Skyline with a Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesel engine swap for example. While the rationale remains a mystery, Alen is planning a full feature, so stay tuned to find out!

The Tesla Model 3, on air ride and slammed over SSR wheels, offered a refreshing contrast to the many ’90s enthusiast cars on display. It wasn’t the only modified EV; this Volkswagen ID.4 also drew significant attention. I also know of a dropped VW ID. Buzz in Finland, though it didn’t make it to FittedFest this year.

Four MkIV Toyota Supras, each modified in its own unique way – which would you choose?

I initially mistook this clean build for a Nissan Silvia S13…

However, it’s actually a BMW E36!

My Estonian friends from Lowtown Workshop had a booth showcasing three cars on static suspension and an E30 on bags. Remarkably, all were driven to the event.

In fact, only a few cars arrived on trailers; most entrants made the journey in their vehicles, enjoying them to and from the show.

A special shout-out to the cars previously featured on Speedhunters – several were present and they looked fantastic.

The coveted ‘People’s Choice’ award at Fitted Fest 2024 went to a pristine 1992 Lexus LS 400, transformed in bippu (VIP) style by Andžej Kuldoš from Lithuania. This Lexus was a Top 16 car at Ultrace and has claimed outright victories at smaller shows. Its allure lies in the fusion of classic JDM and unique custom elements.

The exterior is particularly striking, thanks to an Evolution Total Systems V1 body kit from the late ’90s. Rumor has it only five of these kits remain, making it extremely rare. The wheels are a set of 3-piece, 18-inch Carving Head 40s by Work, complete with Spinner Type 1 center caps.

A video is the only way to fully appreciate Andžej’s custom rear lights, so check out this Instagram story for a closer look. Over 2,000 LEDs and countless hours of soldering and programming went into crafting the ‘show modes.’

Another standout feature is the chromed door handles, crafted from shredded US one-dollar bills. They contain phosphorus, which makes them glow in the dark.

The interior boasts classic VIP styling, with a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel replacing the Lexus original and a full seat retrim in Italian Napa leather.

One aspect I’ve grown to love about Fitted Fest is its vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere. Many attendees compared it to Ultrace but noted it’s more laid-back, set to the soundtrack of Finnish hip-hop.

Fitted Fest’s evolution from a modest local gathering to a major event in the European custom car scene is truly impressive. I left with my heart full of inspiration and my camera filled with unforgettable moments.

Lahti, once again, you’ve set the low-car bar incredibly high. I’m eagerly anticipating what Fitted Fest 2025 will bring next summer.

Vladimir Ljadov
Instagram: wheelsbywovka
because@wheelsbywovka.com
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