And then we enter Intex Osaka. On the main hall was a whole-day concert on stage with different shows. It was surprising to see how crowded the venue was, considering its huge proportions.

Entering Hall 2 (Hall 1 was the foodcourt), we were greeted by an Alpina B3 GT3 right at the entrance.

3-liter straight six, twin turbo, 408hp. The monster 6-pot calipers hide behind the familiar set of Alpina Classic forged alloy wheels.

The thing gives Porsches a run for their money.

Akrapovic, of motorcycle exhaust fame, made the titanium exhaust system for the Alpina B3 GT3.

Alpina is making only 99 of these 3-series-on-crack, and I’m pretty sure that they’ll all be sold out in a jiffy.

Afterwards, we moved to the Subaru exhibit right across from the BMW section. Moving through the hordes of auto-otaku, we saw a Subaru concept car, the Advanced Tourer concept, which appears to be the next Legacy.

I doubt that the semi-gullwing doors will make it into production.

The Subaru section also featured the GT300 Legacy, which won 2 class wins in the Super GT series.

Sure, there was a Super GT race car on display. But the most crowded Subaru display was this:

The highly anticipated offspring from Toyota and Subaru: The BRZ. Nearly identical to its Toyota 86 twin, it grabs just as much attention.

The BRZ and 86 are about to revive the low-cost, high-performance auto segment; which saw a long drought of cheaper performance cars with the death of names like the Nissan Silvia, Honda S2000, Toyota MR-S, and so on.

Loads more automotive goodness on Part 3!

In case you missed Part 1 <– see it here!

Roberto Minosa reporting live from Intex Osaka. Brought to you by Custom Pinoy Rides and Team A Motorsports.

The moment we stepped off the tram, we knew we were going some place epic. It was practically a car show along the road. It felt like every car nut in Osaka was going to the Motor Show.

A bone-stock NSX was in line for the parking area of Intex Osaka.

An S2000 was also in line. All-stock performance cars like these are becoming a rarity even here in Japan.

Here’s something we don’t see everyday: a pristine Alfa Romeo Giulia.

American cars are a bit of a novelty for the Japanese.

Just two cool cars moving along.

We also saw this cool Type-R themed Odyssey. It’s got the stance, the looks, and seats seven.

And here’s the venue: a behemoth of a structure, with five halls each the size of an aircraft hangar.

You can see how the Japanese take their cars seriously. This is the queue to the ticket booth.

Let’s go inside Intex on Part Two! (Coming Soon!)

I am Roberto Minosa, fellow Filipino automotive enthusiast currently based in Osaka, Japan. I’ve been here for almost five months as of this writing.

I like being a grease monkey. Back home, I spend the most of my time in the garage; picking up random parts to make something utterly useless (well, it’s a lot of fun to do!). I used to own and modify 2-stroke scooters, which were a riot. I also stay in the garage because I’m trying to restore my grandfather’s old Lancer. I even find staring at the car very entertaining. It’s my place of zen, the place to think deeply about automotive life. There’s a load of things that I could do with that car, so I always think of ways to make imagination into practice.

Garage Shot

I’m also a bit of a photography buff, something I picked up from my granddad and dad. I’m a no-frills photographer, no fancy PS on my work. People used to live on 36 shots per roll back in the old days. I should too, because it’s hard to pick five or ten frame-worthy shots out of 10,000 crappy ones shot using a gatling gun.

First-gen Celica at MIAS 2011

Other than being a grease monkey, photographer, and computer technician, I also like music. I used to be a part of a band in high school. Like my taste in cars, old school is my thing with music.

My vintage Pioneer Component

Enough with the chitchat, and let the cars roll in.

My friend Albert from ACE, at Subic International Raceway

TEAM A buddy Raul at Clark International Speedway

Another TEAM A buddy Iori coming around right outside SIR

Loads more of automotive goodness coming up!

Note: I’m not very good at introductions.

Hi, I’m Michael KALBO, a proud Pinoy photographer currently based in the Midwest, the land of the free and home of the brave USA.

I love cars,
JDMs
Euros
Exotics
American Muscle…

I also love, palabok, caldareta, royal tru-orange, yakult, Filipino movies (got to believe in magic, my amnesia girl), Bourne identity movies, hanging from the back of jeepneys, winding mountain roads, a proper manual transmission (non of that flappy paddle stuff) and AWD cars.

Anyways, I hope to bring you guys/gals some awesome cars, state side and also some from the Philippines.
Here are a few samples of my work.

To see more of my work, visit Michaelkalbo.com

Also, if you are in the Chicago, NJ, PA, NY or Ohio area and would love have your car featured message me and lets set something up. I’ll also be in Manila April-May hoping to catch some amazing cars out there, let me know what you guys got out there in Manila, I’d love to do a photoshoot while in the country.

Enjoy.
Michael KALBO
Follow me on twitter @ MichaelKALBO.

The iconic Toyota bB (or its twin brother the Scion xB) has always had a following amongst the tuner crowd. Based on the Toyota Echo/Yaris/Vios platform, this car probably has the most appeal and charisma compared to its cousins, despite its boxy looks.

With a properly kitted-out bB or xB, you could easily roll into a parking lot filled with modified Silvias, Skylines, Evos, or Imprezas, and get the same level of respect, than if you came in with a similarly kitted-out version of any if its more rounded cousins. There’s just a certain attitude about the bB/xB that makes it stand proud.

The Toyota bB you see right here is a perfect example. Tricked-out by Euro Garage Motors, it has been given a complete makeover and now features a stanced and VIP’d look, making it stand out, or sit – given the 2.75″ drop, like a boss (check out the camber!).

Black paint while sitting on Work Euroline Wheels is a traditional VIP recipe, but the guys at Euro Garage spiced this bB up by covering it with satin black vinyl wrap with custom decals, and added various exterior upgrades, making it look hotter than ever before. Additional flavor is provided by a custom audio system consisting of a Pioneer head unit, Crescendo and Ground Zero speakers, and Alipine amplifiers.

But the secret sauce is what you’ll find under the hood. Because this car has been turbocharged. Let me say that again, this car has been TURBOCHARGED! Yes, that’s right, the 1.5L 1NZ-FE engine has been given a doze of adrenalin care of a T25 Garrett Turbocharger, a custom exhaust, APEXi air filter, HKS Blow-Off Valve, and a G-Reddy E Manage Ultimate system. So when a ricer boy in a doped out Civic tries to cut you off thinking you’ll never catch him, you’re confident to know it won’t be easy for him to outrun you.

Check out the full specifications list below, as well as a bonus close-up shot of the model in the photo, as I’m pretty sure you guys are as interested in the girl as you are with the car. Check it out…

Specifications

Scion xB OEM Headlights
Aftermarket LED Tail Lights
Custom Wide Front and Rear Fenders
Work Euroline Wheels 18×8.5 / 18×9.5
7 Degree Camber Shims
Wanli Tires 215 35 18
Scion xB Aftermarket Mesh Grill
Toyota bB Carbon Fiber Rear Wing
Kayaba Rally Tarmac Short Strut Shocks
Direzza Lowering Springs 2.75″ Drop

1.5 Liter 1NZ-FE Turbocharged Engine
T25 Garrett Turbocharger
Custom Stainless Steel Exhaust System (Brodeth)
Stainless FMIC Piping w/ Samco Hoses
APEXi Air Filter
HKS Blow Off Valve
G-Reddy E Manage Ultimate

Pioneer P80RSII Head Unit
Crescendo 3-Way Front Speakers
Crescendo 2-Way Rear Speaker
Ground Zero 10-Inch Subwoofer
Alpine Amplifiers
Rockford Fosgate Wirings

Custom Graphics by Euro Garage
Full Finyl Wrap in Satin Black (Dry Install)
Custom Graphics and Computer Cut Decals

And as promised…

Photos taken during the 2011 Face off 3 Car Show.

Related Stuff:
- See more coverage of the Face Off Car Show.
- See more custom Toyota bB’s / Scion xB’s here.

Photos from their respective sources (links included)

Having a little fun this Christmas season. Just toying with the idea of “What Would Santa Drive if not his sleigh?”. Let’s start!

F1 Car?

Ferrari Formula 1 Car

Santa’s colors, as if it were dressed in his livery. If he could fit, I’m sure he’d want to drive one of these. Question is, would he drive this for Christmas eve, given it can get him places faster than just about any vehicle on land?

Supercar?

Bugatti Veyron

The F1 car probably wouldn’t work, as Santa won’t be able to carry any gifts in an F1 car. So how about a super fast road car with some luggage space?

Muscle Car?

Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra

Then again, if he drove the F1 or the Veyron, he probably wouldn’t be able to make it through countries like the Philippines. With such horrific road conditions, he just won’t be able to make it through every household in the country. So how about a Muscle Car, such as this Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra? Would a little more ground clearance help?

Blingin’ SUV?

GeigerCars.de Christmas Hummer H2

GeigerCars is Europe’s largest HUMMER dealer and leading European tuner of American automobiles. They have put together this Hummer H2 wearing Christmas livery and rolling on 22-inch wheels. It is adorned with 250 LED lights for some Christmasy illumination at night. To give Santa a grand entrance, the doors open Lambo-style, giving people a sneak-peak at what’s keeping Santa awake while driving the entire night – a 3,800-watt JBL sound system with a 42-inch widescreen TV. If the snow gets too deep, all Santa has to do is take out the snowmobile in tow, and let it rip!

Monster Pickup Truck?

Top Gear’s Ice and Volcano-Conquering Toyota HiLux

But then again, if he has to get through to places where the road conditions are just downright harsh, he needs something a little more mighty. We’d especially want Santa to reach the likes of our brothers and sisters in Cagayan De Oro and Iligan City, who were recently struck by the wrath of Typhoon Sendong. Let us all pray for the dearly departed, and for the speedy recovery of all those who were affected.

With great cars come great women. Especially during car shows such as the 2011 Manila Auto Salon. Check out more photos of the car show babes and models from the event here…

Related Stuff:
- See more coverage of the Manila Auto Salon here.
- See more articles of models here.

To be honest, the first time I saw a Mazda 2 in person here in the Philippines, I was a bit skeptical about the design. I first saw it from the rear, and it looked to me as if it were a tad too small for a hot hatch. Maybe it was the shape of the lights, as it reminded me of those alien drawings to me. But when I saw it from the front, I began to appreciate the entire looks of it from a holistic point of view. Now when I see one, maybe becuase with the smiley face design in front, I feel it’s smiling at me. So guess what… I smile back. LOL!

Now when the Ford Fiesta came out, I was half expecting a better looking car. I knew it was from the same platform, but I was thinking the Euro-inspired looks would trump the JDM-styling of the Mazda 2. But after a while, the Fiesta’s design, in stock form, started to look boring to me. Not so with the Mazda 2. Again, maybe it’s that smiley face, but it always looks like a happy car to me.

With that, I present to you this photo of 3 Mazda 2′s from MazdaTech Philippines. I call this photo “The Triple Double”. Hope you like it!

Since I shared with you my opinion on what I’d like a Mazda 2 to look like, how about you? Would you want a Mazda 2 as a sedan or hatchback? What mods would you want to do to yours?

Related Stuff:
- More features on the Mazda 2 here.
- See more customized Mazda vehicles here.

Andy Rodriguez (A.Rodriguez Fotografia) and I joined the Miata Club on a trip to Tagaytay Highlands last weekend. It sure was a rainy and foggy trip of sorts, but that didn’t stop us from taking photos.

This is just a preview taken from my camera. Just a teaser of what is to come. Watch out for more right here at CustomPinoyRides.com. In the meantime, we’ll be quite busy editing and working on the layout for the upcoming 2012 Calendar… Watch out for it!!!

Thanks to the Miata Club for their hospitality, and for feeding us a sumptuous meal at Tagaytay Highlands. Hope you’ll enjoy the calendar we’ll be publishing featuring your club. Cheers!

If cars could talk, I wonder what Miatas talk about whenever they meet?

Related Stuff:
- See more features from the Car Photography Club.
- More features of customized Mazda vehicles here.
- Click here to join the Car Photography Club.