The 23rd Tokyo Auto Salon has just taken place, the country's leading annually-held tuning and modified car extravaganza.

As usual, tuned and visually enhanced sporty Italian models, from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Lamborghini, were among the main attractions.

The show, which was first held in 1983, takes place each January in the halls of the Nippon Convention Centre in the Chiba-ken district.

Emphasising the popularity of this event, more than a quarter of a million visitors were reckoned to have visited over the length of the three days.

Sporty Italian cars are hugely attractive to the Japanese, who find a close affinity with the principles of style and panache that Italian cars adhere to, so plenty of 'Italian metal' is always to be found throughout the vast halls, this year led out as usual by the very popular 'prestige' brands: Ferrari, Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo.

Highlight of this show is the awarding of winning prizes in the pretigious 'Tokyo International Custom Car Contest', which is organised by T.A.S.
 

All the vehicles, with the exception of some race cars and vehicles that were awarded prizes in previous years, displayed at the Tokyo Auto Salon are eligible to enter the contest.

There were eight categories this year: Concept Car; Sports Car; Performance Mini Van; Performance SUV; Tuned High Performance Car; Performance Sedan and Performance Sation Wagon. Victory in any one of these categories guarantees huge country-wide publicity, as well as across much of Asia.

The Tokyo Auto Salon focuses on manufacturer performance enhancements', an area very much dominated by the three domestic giants: Toyota, Nissan and Honda, as well as providing a huge range of aftermarket products, while fresh innovation is regarded as important.

Alfa Romeo were represented by the new GT Coupe as well as the 147. A two-tone metallic grey GT Coupe took centre stage on the large OZ Wheels stand. The Alfa 147 was presented in 3-door format by stylists Garbino, while Stradista had an outrageous 5-door model, complete with a huge rear wing and big side skirts.

Several companies presented the Ferrari 360 Modena and Spider, most notably European tuner Novitec, who had a high performance body styling enhanced 360 Modena, and Hartge who came a dressed-up Spider, while local firm 'Fabulous' had two cars, one of which was clothed in a whole host of add-on 'carbon fibre' panels.

A second Ferrari model line was also at the Tokyo show, with Vellside presenting a 550 Maranello, boasting new aerodynamic features and alloy aggressive wheels, as part of their 'Premiere Collection'.

Lastly the new Lamborghini Gallardo, which is enjoying strong sales in Japan, was displayed by Carrozzeria, and Hartge, the latter offering a version very chunky alloy wheels that sported colour-coded cut-outs.

Photos: Max Press