• One of the show's common themes. All images by Simon Wilgress-Pipe
    One of the show's common themes. All images by Simon Wilgress-Pipe
  • A single-seater urban vehicle.
    A single-seater urban vehicle.
  • Another muscular entrant.
    Another muscular entrant.
  • An engine with matching paintwork.
    An engine with matching paintwork.
  • An entrant with a strong taste for yellow.
    An entrant with a strong taste for yellow.
  • Another muscular entrant.
    Another muscular entrant.
  • An engine with matching paintwork.
    An engine with matching paintwork.
  • An engine with matching paintwork.
    An engine with matching paintwork.
  • An alloy wheel detail.
    An alloy wheel detail.
  • A well-polished bike on display.
    A well-polished bike on display.
  • Another muscular entrant.
    Another muscular entrant.
  • A monster truck on display.
    A monster truck on display.
  • A well-sponsored entrant.
    A well-sponsored entrant.
  • An engine detail.
    An engine detail.
  • A heavily customised interior.
    A heavily customised interior.
  • A smashing bumper design.
    A smashing bumper design.
  • A skull door detail.
    A skull door detail.
  • An exhibitor's display model.
    An exhibitor's display model.
  • A vintage Chevrolet truck.
    A vintage Chevrolet truck.
  • A dragon-inspired design.
    A dragon-inspired design.
  • An engine detail.
    An engine detail.
  • Something to give tailgaters a surprise.
    Something to give tailgaters a surprise.
  • One of many customised off-roaders.
    One of many customised off-roaders.
  • A customised vintage Volkswagen Beetle.
    A customised vintage Volkswagen Beetle.
  • A zombie-inspired design.
    A zombie-inspired design.
  • A wheel design.
    A wheel design.
  • A Frankenstein-inspired design.
    A Frankenstein-inspired design.
  • An engine detail on a vintage truck.
    An engine detail on a vintage truck.
  • A disturbing mannequin stands beside one of the exhibits.
    A disturbing mannequin stands beside one of the exhibits.
  • One of many customised off-roaders.
    One of many customised off-roaders.
  • A 4x4 shows off its rough-terrain ability.
    A 4x4 shows off its rough-terrain ability.
  • The car is a customised Mini, of course.
    The car is a customised Mini, of course.
  • A Batman inspired wheel is on display.
    A Batman inspired wheel is on display.
  • One of several Batman-inspired images.
    One of several Batman-inspired images.
  • A door detail shows a Terminator-inspired design.
    A door detail shows a Terminator-inspired design.
  • Glossy interiors are commonplace.
    Glossy interiors are commonplace.
  • Humour is not in short supply among the entrants.
    Humour is not in short supply among the entrants.
  • The owner may need a screwdriver.
    The owner may need a screwdriver.
  • Colours to make you notice.
    Colours to make you notice.
  • A bike pattern to catch the eye.
    A bike pattern to catch the eye.
  • Colour co-ordination in full force.
    Colour co-ordination in full force.
  • Walls are no obstacle for some exhibitors.
    Walls are no obstacle for some exhibitors.
  • Everything's gone green.
    Everything's gone green.

43 of the craziest modified motors at the Custom Show Emirates 2019


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
  • English
  • Arabic

The Custom Show Emirates rolled into Abu Dhabi on its metaphorical alloy wheels over the weekend, gathering together modified motors from across the UAE and beyond.

Not content with displaying the country's finest upgraded vehicles, the Adnec-based event featured drifting displays, 4x4 tear-ups, and general vehicular mayhem in a tyre-surrounded arena set up in the forecourt of the U-shaped main building.

Smoke billowed as competitor after competitor ripped their tyres apart on the harsh surface, creating a cacophony of noise so loud many had to cover their ears.

That was outside though - inside, strict instructions were issued to the effect that no exhibitor was allowed to start his or her engine while the show was in progress.

As such, some of the more power hungry beasts were out of juice come the twilight of the event, their sound and light shows having sucked batteries dry.

As is often the way at similar shows, US cars and trucks dominated, various Dodges and Ford Mustangs being the most common, but there were plenty of German and Japanese offerings as well.

Mirroring its popularity in the UAE, modern off-roaders in both dark and moody and day-glo colour schemes that looked like they could make mincemeat of the harshest terrain were also in abundance.

The event, being run in conjunction with the International Motor Show Abu Dhabi, the capital's annual new vehicle show, is the highlight of the year for the city's many car clubs, with a bent towards giving vehicles a little extra oomph.

A series of awards were handed out to worthy winners in a ceremony at the end of the weekend.