Event Coverage 1st Annual Local Funktion-Rods, Kustoms, Bikes

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 1st Annual Local Funktion Rods, Kustoms and Bikes show in Nagoya, Japan today. The event was an invitation only, so they controlled what types of cars got in, and most importantly, what didn't. In all the events I've been to in Japan, this was the first in which it was 100% American iron. And the cars and bikes were awesome! Pretty much 100% HAMB approved (ok, they had low riders too, but many were older than 1965, and all were cool). They also had some of Japan's best pinstripers there: Makoto, Mr. G, Ghost, JJ, Jet Wrench and a few other artists. I consigned Makoto to re-make my "Comet" fireball to use as my avatar and hang in my office. I can't wait to get it! I also bought a piece from Ghost (see pics).
They limited the event to approx. 100 cars and had maybe 50 bikes or so. Consequently, some of the cars outside the event were just as cool as inside. You will probably recognize quite a few of the cars, but I don't recall some of them being on display outside, so that was cool.
The weather was great (about 75 degrees), cherry blossoms were still (barely) out and the people were all cool. Special thanks to the guys at Paradise Road in Nagoya for telling me about this. Now the pics:

 

More:

 

The artists:


I bought this piece from Ghost, he wanted a pic of me for his blog.

A better pic of the piece








Makoto san and me

 

Wow, bitchin cars man! Thanks for the pics!

 

Like Cole said, "The Japanese are KILLING it".

 

The bikes:

 

SugOOOOOIIIIII Natsukashi, tomodachi-san!

Good Times in Nagoya!

 

Customs and lowriders:


















More pics here: http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/cometsrides/Local Funktion/?albumview=slideshow

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!!!!

 

very cool~

 

I would love to go check out the hotrod/custom/bike scene in Japan. There is alot of cool stuff going on over there.
It looks weird seeing all these cars with Japanese license plates on them.
Thanks for posting!

 

Comet,
Pretty neat event. I lived in Japan back in the mid-80's and as I recall the motor vehicle inspections were brutal. If these cars are drivers, do you know how hard it is to get them insured and tagged? Later, Gary

 

Those plates with the red slash through them are "restricted use - local commuting only" ......and they show the home town of origin ON the plates.......then some of these kats drive 600 miles cross country on them!!!!!!

I always heard. " Hey Man....we get reniency for COOL rods!!!!"

 

Hai, sugoi desho~!

I wish I coulda met up with you Mark when you lived here. We were at some of the same shows!

Yeah, that's why I posted some of the plates...so you "gaijin" would know they were in fact Japanese cars! Hahaha!

I think insurance is not bad, but yeah inspections are a pain. But like Mark said, the restricted licenses helps them get away with things they otherwise might not.

 

nice pics. Thanks!

 

From the sublime to the ridiculous...

Thanks for posting these.

 

Thanks for the pics dude. I want to go and live there too. Then I can learn Japanese.

 

I think Japan means "Heaven" in an alternate language.Great pics and there is not one car I could make a complaint about.Even the lowriders with the crazy ass paint schemes are great.

 

Killa rides!!!! Thank you for the pics!!! Inspiration abounds there! I am at a loss for words! We need to learn from the example that has been set. "You guys are "KILLING IT" over there.

 

Awesome stuff! Wonderful of you to share.

 

great show very intresting thanks a bunch for sharing
it cost a bunch of $$$ to built and get parts for the old rides in the states. how rich do you have to be to build one in Japan??

 

Very Kool & thanks for posting the pictures! I wish that I could have been there.....

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

Thanks for taking the time to scan all these great pictures se we could see them. I know for years they have been buying up American hotrods but seeing it was another shock to the system. Thanks for sharing them with us.

 

Lotta good shit..those customs had some bad ass paint on em.. Thanks for the pics.. looked like one hell of a 1st annual..

 

WoW where can I get a Jap plate ???????????

 

The japanese are the best customizers in my opinion, definitely perfectionists!!! Beautiful cars!!

Ian

 

Great pictures Comet !! Thanks

 

My first instinct tells me that most of these cars were built in USA and imported to Japan. Am I right, or are there builders over that that actually "get it" and have access to resources required for these builds?

 

Very COOL!

 

wow.... nice iron there as always