The Oslo Motor Present indicators the top of the occasion season for many fanatics throughout Scandinavia, and there’s in all probability not a greater method to do it.
It’s actually fairly laborious to categorize this present held in Norway’s capital metropolis, as there’s a little bit of every little thing for everybody – and greater than 53,000 individuals attended in 2022. However so far as its modified and customized automobiles go, I’d say they’re total extra elegant than outrageous. Let’s have a look…
Provided that Scandinavia has a wealthy historical past in rallying, I made it a purpose to take a look at a few of the present’s rally-focused builds, and they didn’t disappoint.
The Historisk Racing Norge sales space had a pleasant number of old skool rally automobiles able to tear up the gravel particular phases throughout the forthcoming 2023 season.
This pair of Renault 5 Turbo 2s have been a sight to behold. Lengthy-time Speedhunters readers could acknowledge the black Turbo 5; its proprietor, Henrik Thorstensen, is not any stranger to the Scandinavian scene. He owns the white automotive too, and each are rockets that see common use.
It would be outdated age catching as much as me, however a decade on since its Speedhunters characteristic, I feel the black Turbo 2 seems higher than ever.
Reality be informed, I actually didn’t must particularly hunt down rally automobiles at this present, as a result of they may very well be discovered in all places.
Behind the white Turbo 5 was this Ford P100 pickup constructed by Fredrik Tjelta. It’s no extraordinary P100 although; the Sierra mannequin has been renovated from the bottom up with RS Cosworth seems – no less than from the entrance – and a 500hp-capable YB Cosworth turbo engine in addition. Maybe I’ll take a deeper dive into this construct someday sooner or later.
With so many rally automobiles and rally-inspired builds in Scandinavia, I do marvel if this present will ever characteristic a mud monitor outdoors the sector… Talking of, let’s head there to take a look at the tarmac motion it does have.
Everyone knows that Norway and Sweden are house to Scandinavia’s wildest automotive occasion, Gatebil. With the ultimate Gatebil occasion being held in September, the small monitor outdoors the Oslo Motor Present supplies drivers with a last alternative to ship it earlier than the lengthy, darkish winter that we’re at the moment in the midst of.
It was a bittersweet second seeing the final automotive do the final run, as I received’t have a chance to get again on monitor in Scandinavia till April. It’s solely January and my digital camera is already lined in mud.
Having stated that, the Gatebil spirit was robust with everybody going ten-tenths.
Scandinavia’s customized truck scene is greater than I beforehand thought. With truck-centric occasions being scattered all around the summer season calendar, I solely get a style of massive rig tradition at a present like this one.
Probably the most spectacular factor about these vehicles is the work put into their paint. You’d assume that the graphics are wrapped or layers of vinyl laid out on the physique, however every little thing’s hand-painted or airbrushed, one thing made extra spectacular by the bodily dimension of those rolling metal canvases.
Others take it a step additional and customise their truck’s inside too. Living proof, this Japanese-inspired Scania R650 known as Geisha.
One side of Scandinavian automotive tradition that I didn’t know even existed is land velocity racing.
This 1922 Wisconsin Particular – also referred to as the three Mile-A-Minute Automobile – was pushed by Sig Haugdahl within the Nineteen Twenties and is at the moment owned by Heinz Bachman who has mechanically restored the automotive. In its day, the 12.5-litre six-cylinder engine pushed the automotive to an unofficial world report velocity of 180mph on the Daytona Seashore oval, which to me sounds terrifying given the way it seems. Simply take a look at the tires! The report was deemed unofficial, just because Sig was not a member of the AAA (American Vehicle Affiliation ) on the time, a actual bummer in case you ask me.
American automotive tradition has certain made its mark on the Scandinavian scene. And it solely appears to be getting larger and greater, which is ok by me.
Talking of massive, take a look at this 1962 Peterbilt 351 known as Good-looking Pete. The customized tow truck was hauling an enormous rat rod tow truck, plus a clear sizzling rod all on the identical mattress. Think about seeing this setup rolling down the highway!
This 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Coupe owned by Robert Cserhalmi dominated Scandinavian automotive exhibits throughout the 2022 season. At this occasion it took house at least six awards, together with the coveted Greatest in Present trophy.
The Oslo Motor Present at all times attracts the area’s most stunning two-wheeled creations, from devoted drag machines to café racers and every little thing in between.
A big crowd shaped to see the Aston Martin Valkyrie unveiled, and this AMR Professional model left me in awe. I’m not large on hypercars, however it’s laborious to not respect all the small print.
Now this is extra to my style. The Porsche 917K is an absolute automotive icon, and this duplicate constructed by Knut Markegård comes very near the true deal. The perfect half is, it’s 100% road authorized.
I envy anybody who was round to witness the DTM glory days. This BMW E30, which was pushed by Altfrid Heger in interval, is an absolute stunner.
For BMW followers, the Oslo Motor Present by no means disappoints. The Bavarian model is likely one of the hottest amongst Scandinavian automotive fanatics.
One factor that this present has extra of than the famed Bilsport occasion at Elmia, is restored automobiles from the early ’70s by late ’80s. There’s a corridor devoted to those time capsules, and it’s at all times a deal with to take a more in-depth have a look at them.
As it’s in all places else all over the world, air suspension is now commonplace in Scandinavia’s customized automotive scene, particularly with late-model stance builds. I’m proper at house on this world.
The stance scene has been my go-to since I acquired into pictures and automobiles again in 2019. When laid eyes on Henrik Schonhowd’s Datsun 510, I virtually ran to the automotive for a nearer look.
Going by all these pictures has solely made me extra eager to seize every little thing that Scandinavian automotive tradition has supply, so I actually can’t wait till spring 2023 rolls round and every little thing begins to thaw out for summer season.
Within the meantime although, take a look at the large gallery beneath for extra from the Oslo Motor Present.
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
Gallery
