Cresta GX71: Japan’s Spirit on German roads

When you can’t go to Japan, you bring Japan to you. That’s exactly what the owner of this Toyota Cresta GX71 did. And no, he didn’t just import a pristine example from the streets of Osaka. He built it. Himself. In Germany. On home turf. With grit, style, and a whole lot of mechanical wizardry.

If you didn’t know, you’d swear this thing rolled straight out of Tokyo Auto Salon. But no, I found this example in the Pace Museum that is run by JP Performance. First thing that I noticed was the stance, it is chef’s kiss. Low, aggressive, and very much Japanese. But here’s the kicker: there are no off the shelf airride kits for this car available. So if you want it low, you’ve got to get your hands dirty. And that’s exactly what happened.

A Frankenstein’s mix of parts found their way onto this Cresta to get it sitting just right. The result? Perfection. The car nestles into its fenders like it was born there, riding on SSR Speed Star MK3 wheels. 15″x9J up front and 15″x9.5J in the rear.

Respect your elders: The BMW 1502

One of my favorite cars at the recent Retrospective by Revworks event was this BMW 1502. It had that little something that grabbed me. The owner bought this car two years ago. It was not the kind you’d find in a showroom with a smug salesman and a cappuccino machine. No, this one came with rust, questionable welds, and the faint smell of regret. Naturally, the owner loved it as car lovers do.

Since then, it’s been through more metalwork than a Viking sword. Everything’s been re-welded that needed it. Other improvements include a new set axles that have been swapped out for those from a turbo model. Because the ones the car came with were beyond repair.

Sourcing parts for this thing is like trying to find a polite cyclist in Amsterdam: technically possible, but wildly unlikely. Every bolt, bracket, and miscellaneous parts has been a battle. But the owner persevered. Stabilizers have been added, a roll cage now snakes through the cabin, and strut bars brace the chassis like it’s preparing for that final race of the season.

Revworks Retrospective: Ode to Petrol Fumes

Starting a new car event isn’t exactly like assembling IKEA furniture. It’s not for the faint-hearted, the indecisive, or anyone who thinks a torque wrench is a cocktail. But thank the petrol gods, there are still brave souls out there who dare to stir the pot in an already overcrowded Dutch automotive landscape. Enter Retrospective by Revworks, a celebration of cars that have been around for at least 25 years and still have more character than most modern hatchbacks.

The masterminds behind this glorious chaos? My friends from Revworks. For years, they’ve been laying the groundwork, brick by oily brick, and this event is their pièce de résistance.

Last year’s debut was a roaring success. But pulling off the same trick twice? That’s like asking a Ferrari F40 to behave in traffic. And yet, somehow, they did it. Again. With a storm looming on the horizon, literally, enthusiasts still flocked to Brielle, braving the elements to bask in the glory of chrome, carburetors, and cars that actually have a soul.

Gallery: M Power at Bimmerfest 2025

Last year, Bimmerfest 2024 had us basking in glorious sunshine, the kind that makes you believe a convertible is always a good idea. This year? Not so much. The sun, it seems, had other plans. Instead, Raceway Venray served us up a delightful mix of wind, intermittent downpours, and the kind of skies that make you question every life choice that led you to put on your best Air Max 1s. But, as true BMW enthusiasts, we soldiered on and between the showers, Bimmerfest once again delivered a feast for the senses (and a workout for your umbrella if you had one).

Arriving at the legendary oval of Raceway Venray, it’s impossible not to be gobsmacked by the sheer steepness of the banking. It’s like walking across the side of a cliff in sneakers—grippy shoes are absolutely essential unless you fancy falling down in front of a crowd of amused car geeks.

Daily Driven, Show Ready: Masterclass in OEM+

It’s easy to assume that the most jaw-dropping builds are tucked away in garages, polished to perfection and wheeled out only for summer shows and Sunday coffees. But every now and then, a car comes along that breaks that mould. A build so clean, so dialled in, that you’d swear it’s a showpiece. But it isn’t, the owner uses his car as a daily driver. I Spotted this BMW E30 at the Royal Fitment show this year and couldn’t keep my eyes off of it.

Sitting pretty on custom BBS E50 wheels, stepped up from 15 to 17 inches, this car nails the OEM+ aesthetic with ruthless precision. The wheels tuck effortlessly under the arches thanks to a fully integrated Airlift 3P air suspension system, offering both head-turning stance and everyday practicality. Whether you’re gliding through traffic or laying frame at a weekend meet, the setup adapts on the fly and it’s all controlled at the touch of a button.

Volkswagen Lupo: The Pocket Rocket Reborn

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Volkswagen Lupo. It was VW’s answer to the growing demand for small, fuel-efficient city cars. And while that demand still exists, modern cars just seem to keep getting bigger. The Lupo even had a GTI version, but its most famous variant is arguably the 3L TDI, the first production car to sip less than 3 liters of diesel per 100 km.

The Lupo I stumbled upon at Heaven on Wheels had been given a serious makeover. The exterior was smoothed to perfection, and thanks to an air suspension setup, it now sits significantly closer to terra firma. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to track down the owner, so I can’t provide all the juicy details. But one thing’s for sure, this isn’t your average city car.

RX-7 with Zimax Power: Ultimate Wangan Racer

When we launched Speedhunters back in 2008, our goal was to showcase car culture in its broadest form. But if there was one scene the world couldn’t get enough of, it was Japan’s. One article that stuck with me from those early days was by our Japan editor, Dino Dalle Carbonare, covering a dark blue Zimax Mazda FD RX-7. A true Wangan racer, it featured a full RE-Amemiya body kit and a side-ported 13B rotary built for high-speed highway runs.

So you can imagine my surprise when, at the Risenation event, I stumbled upon an almost identical RX-7 but in white. The resemblance was uncanny, but there was one key difference: the suspension setup and wheels. For the show season, the owner Craig, opts for air suspension, but when it’s time to hit the track, the air ride is swapped out for PCR coilovers with Bestex springs. Everything else underneath? Pure performance.

The Ultimate Ford Escort Cosworth by RS-Tuning

The Ford Escort RS Cosworth shouldn’t need an introduction. If, like me, you’ve been obsessed with cars for as long as you can remember, this rally-bred legend has, at some point, held a firm spot in your top three must-own cars. Fast forward to 2025, and prices are only heading in one direction—up. A well-kept example will now set you back a cool €80,000. Those who got in before the hype? Sitting pretty.

But here’s the thing some people don’t care about the skyrocketing values. Some people just want to build their perfect version of an all-time great. And honestly? That’s exactly the kind of passion I respect.

Enter Árpád Lakatos of RS-Tuning in Hungary. In his eyes, he’s created the ultimate Escort RS Cosworth. And looking at the result, it’s hard to argue. The first thing that grabs you is the stance—the car sits impossibly low, thanks to a fully custom-built airride setup. No off-the-shelf system exists for this car, so Árpád and his team had to develop their own, opting for a Grinds air management system to control it all.