Another trip in the way-back machine. I wasn’t going to post pictures from this event because the quality of the shots were pretty garbage. However, I did some retouching and managed to get enough of them decent enough to put together this post.

Auto Messe has always been my favorite of the big shows. Unlike the crowded frenzy that is Tokyo Auto Salon, Messe is very laid back. It’s held at the convention center at Osaka Port. You can literally park just down the road from the main entrance and walk right in.

You’ll find a big mix of cars, including Time Attack builds like the Sequential S15 Silvia. This was a pretty famous car at the time and look amazing in person.

RYO had their Time Attack S15 in attendance as well. It’s an impressive car, but the only thing it really did was sit on display at Autobacs in Hiroshima.

I’ve always been a big fan of Pit Road M and their love of the mostly overlooked 3000GT/GTO. This particular example isn’t gold any longer. It’s black and white and is doing a good deal of track duty.

If I recall correctly they had the output listed at around 700HP. The bay looks pretty awesome, but the 6G72 is a giant pain in the ass to work on.

NA Works is a big name in the AE86 world. I didn’t get a view of what was in the bay, but there’s a good chance it was a 4-throttle 20V.

D-Max AE86 Levin. I couldn’t do much to save this picture, but I wanted to include it. I always thought this was one of the cooler looking Hachis I’ve seen.

Uras was showing off their new GT aero lineup and had a few cars in their booth including this 180SX. I absolutely love this kit.

D-Max S14. I loved everything about this car. The kit, graphics, and wheels are so good. For the life of me I can’t remember who drove this one.

Next to their S13 was their D1SL S13 Silvia, which I believe Nakamura drove.

It had a tidy bay with an interesting oil catch can that was integrated into the suction pipe.

Origin equipped One-Via. I’ve always loved the silver carbon stuff.

This picture started out pretty rough, but I think it came out great after some re-touching. Imamura’s (also known as the Drift Samurai) BN-Sports equipped FC3S D1 Grand Prix machine.

Takashi’s V-Factory C35 is my favorite Laurel of all-time. The metallic brown, aero and chrome XT7s work so well together. Plus he drove the hell out of it.

I couldn’t do anything to save this picture, but I had to include it because I wanted to show what was under the hood of this Fort JZZ30 Soarer…

Yeah, that’s a 3-rotor Cosmo motor with a big-ass Trust turbo.

This is the only Rocket Bunny kit I liked. After this it just got ridiculous with the rivet on flares.

Looks good from the rear too.