Last weekend I visited the charming city of Lahti in Finland. After a short ferry ride from Tallinn, Estonia, and a quick drive on the highway from Helsinki, I arrived at the port of Lahti hoping to dive into Fitted Fest 2024, Northern Europe's best stance show.
Organized by CDLC.CO founders Niko Aaltonen and Antti Eskeli, Fitted Fest has been a highlight of my car show calendar since it began, and this year marked its inaugural run as a two-day event.
The show grounds were spread between the amazing Sibelius Concert Hall and the beautiful Vesijärvi harbour, and with over 250 cars invited from Finland, Sweden, Estonia and more, the excitement was palpable.
Around 20 carefully selected cars took centre stage inside the concert hall, with their magnificent wooden architecture adding a sophisticated touch to the showcase.
We'll take a closer look at this wild VW Bus in our next feature.
Motorbikes aren't often featured on Speedhunters, but some of the two-wheelers on display were truly impressive.
The car park outside was always buzzing with activity. With space for around 200 vehicles, the variety was astounding. From sleek European lightweights to classic American lowriders and race cars, it showcased the creativity of the European custom car scene. And the quality of the cars was fantastic.
As I wandered between the rows of cars, it was clear that Fitted Fest had once again raised the bar.
Every car show has its “highlights,” but up north, the shows can be unconventional and entertaining. Take for example this R32 Nissan Skyline with a Mercedes-Benz turbo diesel engine. Why that is remains a mystery, but Allen is planning a full feature, so stay tuned!
The Tesla Model 3, with its air ride and SSR wheels, stood out in stark contrast to the many 90s enthusiast cars on display. It wasn't the only modified EV, though. This Volkswagen ID.4 also attracted a lot of attention. We also know that the VW ID. Buzz was a hot topic in Finland, but it didn't make an appearance at FittedFest this year.
Four MkIV Toyota Supras, each modified in their own unique way – which one will you choose?
At first, I mistook this beautiful build for a Nissan Silvia S13…
But it's actually a BMW E36!
Our Estonian friends from Lowtown Workshop had a booth displaying three cars with static suspension and an E30 with bags, and to our surprise, everyone had come to the event in their cars.
In fact, only a few cars arrived on trailers, and most attendees traveled in their own cars, enjoying the journey to and from the show.
Special thanks to the cars previously featured on Speedhunters, there were several on display and they were all amazing.
The coveted “People's Choice” award at Fitted Fest 2024 went to a mint-condition 1992 Lexus LS 400, modified in VIP style by Lithuania's Andžej Kuldoš. This Lexus has placed in the top 16 at Ultrarace and has had some impressive wins at smaller shows. Its appeal lies in its mix of classic JDM and unique custom elements.
The look is especially striking thanks to the car's late '90s Evolution Total Systems V1 body kit, which is rumored to have only five left, making it extremely rare. The wheels are three-piece, 18-inch Carving Head 40 by Work with Spinner Type 1 center caps.
To fully appreciate Andžej's custom rear light, you'll only be able to watch the video – check out this Instagram story for more details: Over 2,000 LEDs and countless hours of soldering and programming went into creating this “Show Mode.”
Another standout feature is the chrome-plated door handles made from shredded US one-dollar bills, which contain phosphorus and glow in the dark.
The interior boasts classic VIP style, with a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel replacing the original Lexus one, and full seat re-trimming in Italian Napa leather.
One of the things I love about Fitted Fest is the lively yet relaxed atmosphere – many attendees compared it to Ultrace, but noted that it was a more laid back atmosphere, set to a soundtrack of Finnish hip hop.
It's truly inspiring to see Fitted Fest evolve from a humble local gathering into a major event in the European custom car scene, and I left with a heart full of inspiration and some unforgettable moments captured on camera.
Mr. Lahti, you have once again set the bar incredibly high for lowered cars. We are excited to see what Fitted Fest 2025 will bring next summer.
Vladimir Lyadov
Instagram: wheelsbywovka
From @wheelsbywovka.com
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