Revving up the custom scene
30,000 visitors at this year's Art of Speed show
It celebrates creativity, wheels and all things "old school".
Now in its fifth year, Art of Speed (AOS), which showcases works of art on wheels, continues to attract big crowds and big names on the custom scene.
About 30,000 people from the region visited the two-day AOS 2016, held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang from May 28.
Most of the 200 cars and motorcycles on display had been lovingly restored and given new creative twists.
The show's success has been attributed to regional support and participation, says founder Asep Ahmad Iskandar.
Mr Asep tells The New Paper on Sunday: "Overall, it has been mind-blowing. The effort by so many to make the show a success, with some participants riding all the way from Bangkok (1,500km) to be at the show."
The show's competition, called Show & Shine, saw entries comprising old and new motorcycles in more than 15 categories.
Among them were kick-start era motorcycles like Triumph Bonnevilles, Harleys and even a rare 1941 Matchless G3L.
Japanese cruisers and everyday rides like the ubiquitous Honda CG 125 were also represented and decked out in cafe racer style.
There were also modern entries like the Lamborghini Destroyer, a full carbon fibre 2015 Harley Night Rod Special with a 360mm wide rear wheel.
Mr Asep adds: "Year on year, the quality of builds made especially for the show has grown by leaps and bounds, especially from participants outside Kuala Lumpur - states like Kelantan, Johor and Perak.
"We are also pleasantly surprised by the high number of entries from Singapore, with bikes built to pay homage to yesteryears as though to say they miss the simple life."
There were more than 10 entries from Singaporeans in both bike and car categories.
While Malaysians won in most of the motorcycle categories, Singaporeans bagged the Best of Chopper and Best of Modified Harley-Davidson classes.
The Best of Chopper went to Beard Brothers Cycle Co. for their rigid frame 1977 Shovelhead Harley. Mr Mizie Yunus, 37, one of the chopper's builders, says work began in late February with lots of issues in acquiring parts for the old motorcycle.
He says: "We didn't sleep in the last few days before AOS. Even on the morning of the event itself, we were working on the chopper."
CROWD-PULLERS
Motorbike, skateboard and car stunt shows, including a bouncing Chevrolet Malibu "Hopping Lowrider", were crowd-pullers.
Music performances gave the event a party-like atmosphere. Meanwhile, bike enthusiasts were kept busy at pin striping stalls while their families participated in kid-friendly activities organised by Vans and Hot Wheels.
The crowd cheered when skateboard legend Steve Caballero made his appearance on stage.
Other star appearances from the custom building world were Jason Webber from ATR Choppers USA, Jeff Leighton from The Wretched Hive USA, Shige Suganuma & Wildman from Mooneyes Japan and Hi-Technix Japan Lowrider Hopping Show, among others.
Singaporean Jap Loh, who attended this year's event, says AOS builds a strong bond with custom bike and car lovers.
He adds: "Builders get to express themselves through creativity and style by customising and restoring pieces of junk to beautiful machinery."
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